Izvestia: Ukraine can buy Rafale fighters from France
Ukraine can buy for its Air Force (Air Force) France has Rafale fighters, writes military observer of Izvestia Anton Lavrov, commenting on the entry of the French frigate Auvergne into the Black Sea.
The author admits that "the increase in French activity [in the Black Sea] was partly a marketing ploy." "Kiev has been probing the ground in the West for a long time for the purchase of at least some modern aircraft to upgrade the much outdated Air Force. He cannot afford the new ultra-expensive US combat vehicles. Countries with limited funds are increasingly looking towards French Rafale fighters," the observer suggests.
In December, the Defense Express agency, referring to the World Air Forces 2022 directory of military aviation published by FlightGlobal, disclosed the number of combat aircraft and helicopters available to Ukraine. In particular, Kiev currently has 43 MiG-29 light fighters, 12 Su-24 front-line bombers, 17 Su-25 attack aircraft and 26 Su-27 heavy fighters (not counting training aircraft).
In March, Lavrov said that Ukraine's hypothetical purchase of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin "can only be welcomed." According to the observer, these planes "would become for a poor state the classic "white elephants" of military affairs - weapons that are extremely expensive to maintain, and it is pathetic or impossible to use for their intended purpose."
Thus, he commented on the plans of the Ukrainian Air Force Command, presented in the same month, suggesting a desire to purchase the F-35 Lightning II at an unnamed date.
