summary(6).docx

Ukraine - Air Force

Summary            TOP

Assessment            TOP

As with other elements of the Ukrainian military, the air arm (Povitryani Sily - PS) has experienced a sustained decline and, while working to develop its independent capacities, nonetheless cannot be considered to have better than mediocre combat readiness. The service has experienced endemic shortages of fuel, spare parts and funds for servicing and repair of aircraft, although the situation is now understood to be improving, with flight time for combat pilots having risen from as low as five hours per year at the start of this century to just under 40 hours per annum in 2008. This is still insufficient to maintain the desired level of pilot proficiency, but Ukraine expects to increase the average annual flight time to about 200 hours per year by 2011, although in light of further reports citing lack of funding, this appears unrealistic. Effort is also being directed towards modernisation programmes involving the MiG-29, Su-25 and Su-27, while downsizing of the force has seen many aircraft - including MiG-23 interceptors, Su-24 strike/attack aircraft and Tu-22 bombers - scrapped during the past few years and others placed in long-term storage pending disposition.

Despite optimism that the situation would improve, in September 2009, it emerged that a shortage of funds for the 2010 defence budget was likely to cripple the air force, with deputy commander Lieutenant General Vasily Nikiforov stating that a substantial number of aircraft would have to be placed in storage in the coming year. In the same statement, he revealed that all live fire air-to-air and surface-to-air missile exercises planned for 2009 had been cancelled and that the lack of funds would prevent any training flights from being accomplished in 2010. Furthermore, upgrade programmes involving the MiG-29, Su-24, Su-25 and Su-27 were threatened, as a consequence of the air force having no money to pay for the work that is required. It also became apparent that Ukraine is experiencing a grave shortage of pilots and that only some 30 per cent of those that remained were considered combat ready.

Air Force procurement took a further hit in late 2010, when it was revealed that the procurement of Antonov An-70 tactical transport aircraft and an upgrade to Ukraine's army-operated Mi-24 attack helicopters will now receive no MND funds until 2013-14.

In addition to significant force reductions, the past few years have also witnessed near constant reform, eventually resulting in consolidation of the separate VPS (Air Force) and VPPO (Air Defence Force) as the PS on 1 December 2004. This merger was accompanied through major changes to the order of battle organisation in late 2004 and early 2005.

While improvement is apparent, Ukraine's air arm continues to lag behind its NATO and Russian counterparts in development and deployment of modern guided munitions, including air-launched cruise missiles, tactical air-to-surface missiles and guided air-to-air missiles. The only noteworthy programme currently underway is 'Project 611', which entails development of a new air-to-air missile featuring combined inertial/multi-segment imaging infra-red guidance.

Adaptability            TOP

Although Ukraine's military posture is still conditioned by its Soviet legacy, with a bias towards inflexible, carefully-choreographed mass operations, it is increasingly training and structuring its armed forces for fluid, fast-moving operations and peacekeeping deployments abroad. To this end, deployments to Iraq and elsewhere have provided valuable experience in responding to asymmetric threats and unexpected battlefield conditions. It still lacks the overall professionalism and the technical means fully to integrate these lessons into its operations, but it is increasingly adaptable.

Sustainment            TOP

Such additional expenditure that has been made available has been spent on training, pay and facilities. As a result, stocks of ammunition and spare parts have been run down because of the economic stringencies of the past two decades. Sustainment of substantial and long-term operations would be a serious problem (in Iraq, for example, the US met all expenses other than soldiers' pay).

Readiness            TOP

Ukraine is embarking on an ambitious programme aimed at raising the overall readiness of its armed forces. This will also affect the PS, but at present only part of the air defence elements and some combat support units can be considered at a high level of readiness. The air transport services are also kept at readiness because of their commercial role providing lift capability for deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this also means that they are not always available for Ukraine's own use.

Deployments, tasks and operations            TOP

Role and Deployment            TOP

The air force is controlled by the service high command and the General Staff, both of which are based in Kiev, and is tasked with providing combat and reconnaissance support to ground forces at the operational-tactical (frontal) level. Combat-capable resources are primarily assigned to geographically-based air commands, but the ability to carry out independent operational-level missions aimed at destroying enemy infrastructure and command and control systems is limited due to a lack of modern aircraft and low standards of pilot training, as well as an absence of appropriate operational doctrine. The air defence component of the integrated service is tasked with achieving air superiority, while the respectably-sized transport force is utilised on tactical and strategic airlift.

Recent and Current Operations            TOP

Ukrainian Army Aviation elements have been deployed to Monrovia, Liberia for peacekeeping duty under UN auspices. Airlift support was provided by air force transport aircraft and at least one Melitopol-based Ilyushin Il-76 is known to have operated on lease to the UN in early 2002. However, their main activities of late have been providing contracted airlift capability to coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan...