![]() Will Western fighters without force-multipliers such as AWACS, still provide an overmatch? (NATO) Based on the relatively modest numbers of Ukraine assets, I would probably focus the combat aircraft on air defence and use them to create the conditions for the TB2 drones to conduct air to ground missions. Q: What do you think would be the best (or acceptable) set of weapons to go with these fighters? Purely air-to-air or some austere air-to-ground capability?Ī: Keeping known pairings is always the simplest answer, so Russian missiles (although some are manufactured in Ukraine) with Russian aircraft, and likewise for Western types. R-73 'Archer' Air to air missile launch from Ukrainian MiG-29. We have seen an increase in the use of Russian heavy bombers, that would probably be much reduced or even stop with the introduction of increased Ukraine fighter cover. The defender has the advantage here and the Russians are on enemy soil, the thought of Ukraine air above them means they have to adjust accordingly, which means the Ukraine ground forces can exploit that. Q: Now that Kyiv is no longer under direct threat - would extra combat aircraft shift the battle in the East anyway - given that this would put Ukraine fighters deeper into the S400 engagement zones?Ī: Obviously the SAM threat is a significant factor, although they don't appear to have been that effective to date. Using the radar, avionics, weapons and defensive aids is the area of focus and teaching the basics of employment of those shouldn't take too long to achieve a level capable of matching or even overmatching the apparent poor Russian proficiency.Ĭombat experienced Ukrainian fighter pilots such as 'Juice' have told Western media they could master western jets in 'a few weeks'. The stick, throttle and handling basics are simple transferable skills. However, Western types are fairly user-friendly (especially the F- series) and relatively simple to grasp the basics. Q: What would be the best type to send them? MiG-29s from Poland/Slovakia would require minimal training, but give them parity, whereas surplus F-16s/18/F-15s could give them the edge? Could the UK's Tranche 1 Typhoons even be donated to give them overmatch - given they are set to be disposed of in a couple of years anyway? Or even surplus A-10s to take on Russian tanks?Ī: The more familiar the type the easier the conversion. The RAF is set to retire 30 Tranche 1 Typhoons in 2025 - could these be donated to Ukraine? (RAF) Any limited live training could be done well away from prying eyes or any threat. There would be no requirement for basic skill training (an experienced pilot can land any aircraft after little or no live training). Q: Where do you imagine training might take place - given that Ukraine is a war zone and students doing circuits and bumps might be picked off quite easily?Ī: The majority could be done on simulators, and the use of VR would mean these could be transferred and set up easily in-country. ![]() Low cost VR training with consumer devices potentially means that pilots could be trained in-country. For experienced pilots it would be just enough to familiarise them with the basic avionics and rules of thumb for weapon employment. focus on air to air or air to ground as required) also, skip large force employment and concentrate on small tactical units of 2-4 aircraft maximum. Q: In getting pilots into the air that quickly - what do you imagine would be dropped from any type conversion course?Ī: Any role or weapon training not relevant to the operation (i.e. ![]() If operational reasons demanded, then a much shorter course for experienced pilots learning a new type, focussed only on the relevant tactics and weapons, could be done in four to six weeks, much of which could be done on simulators.Ĭonversion to front line usually takes around six months. However, a more experienced pilot would take less than half that time, and someone requalifying on type after a break would only take a few weeks. Q: How long is a western fighter pilots' training? And how short/abridged do you think a conversion course for Ukrainian pilots could be?Ī: Conversion to a front line combat aircraft for a new pilot would usually take about six months to become limited combat ready. Greg Bagwell is the President of the Air & Space Power Association. Could Ukrainian fighter pilots be trained on western combat aircraft in record time? A former senior RAF commander, fast jet pilot and current President of the Air & Space Power Association, AM GREG BAGWELL offers a personal view on how Kyiv's desperate battle for survival against overwhelming odds could see the rulebooks on fighter pilot training thrown out of the window.
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