Defense Express: Be-12 aircraft of the naval aviation of the Ukrainian Navy will be replaced
The Ukrainian naval forces will abandon the Soviet Be-12 aircraft, as well as Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters. The solution is due to maintenance difficulties. This is reported by Defense Express.
The commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine (VMSU) Oleksiy Neizhpapa said that naval aviation can get a new helicopter. The Fleet is looking for a replacement for the Soviet Ka-27 and Ka-29 helicopters. He stressed that spare parts for helicopters are produced by Russian enterprises.
Also, over the next five years, the Be-12 is planned to be replaced by a new maritime patrol aircraft.
The publication notes that there are two Be-12s in the naval aviation of the Ukrainian Navy. One of the planes has been at the Mykolaiv Aircraft Repair Plant since 2019.
The Be-12 anti-submarine amphibious aircraft made its first flight in 1960. Until 1973, 143 aircraft were produced. Part of the flying boats were transferred to Ukraine during the division of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet.
In August, The National Interest publication assessed the contribution of Ukraine's allies to the creation of the "mosquito fleet". The publication noted the supply of Island and Mark VI type boats from the USA.
In July, the Defense Express publication suggested that Russia had failed to use Outpost drones during exercises in the Black Sea. This explained the use of Be-12 aircraft.
