Canada to help create infrastructure for Western fighter jets in Ukraine
20 July, 2023 F-16 fighters on the runway. Illustrative photo As part of the "aviation coalition", Canada will develop infrastructure for the Western fighter jets in Ukraine.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced this during the conference. Before receiving fighter jets, Ukraine must not only prepare pilots and technicians for servicing the planes but also the corresponding infrastructure. According to Reznikov, the state is currently evaluating the capabilities of the already constructed airfields, where planes will potentially be used.
The plan is also to build a new infrastructure for them, including shelters, security systems, gas stations, etc. "I discussed this with Mrs. Anita Anand, Canada's Minister of Defense, because they do not have F-16 aircraft, but they support the idea of infrastructure development, and will thus join in to this coalition," Reznikov said.
F-16 fighter jet of the US Air Force
The Minister did not disclose how much time it would take to adapt airfields for the use of Western fighter jets, but outlined the approximate timelines:
"As soon as the infrastructure and pilots capable of performing combat tasks are ready, and the engineers are ready to service this equipment, this is when the partners will make a decision: "Ok, now the planes!". So it will take some time. I optimistically think that this is next year."
Infrastructure development
Even before the start of the large-scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the problem of the vision of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to rearm with Western aircraft was actively discussed. At that time, it was emphasized that the country lacked proper aircraft maintenance, airfields with appropriate coverage, individual protected hangars, and much more.
F-16 fighter jets at the airfield in Myrhorod, Ukraine, 2011
The quality of airfields is really a weak point of Ukrainian aviation, because the Soviet standards, based on which they were built, had much "rougher" parameters.
Thus, the coating of concrete slabs is not suitable for Western fighter jets, as their landing gear struts are sensitive to irregularities and can collapse. In addition, unlike Soviet aircraft, western planes are not adapted to long-term storage in the open sky. For this purpose, specially equipped hangars are required, preferably also with debris protection in the current conditions of the threat of missile strikes.
The accompanying infrastructure is also important, including means of communication and monitoring of the airspace, as well as systems that will guarantee the safety of the airfield in accordance with modern threats.
The number of necessary airfields throughout Ukraine is equally important, which would allow fighter jets to be used freely in any part of the country and would allow them to operate in areas of interest such as the Black Sea.
The number of airfields also makes sense for the diversification of aviation, as the planes must constantly change their location to avoid missile strikes.