With what Western fighter jets can Ukraine be armed

With what Western fighter jets can Ukraine be armed. Military experts are looking at 3 potential candidates

Ukraine has already secured modern Western tanks. Now in the background again are the negotiations for the acquisition of new fighters.

France said it had not ruled out providing Kyiv with fighter jets from its own stockpile.

A French government official confirmed that unnamed Eastern European countries and Denmark were also possible candidates to provide fighter jets to Ukraine. Poland actively lobbied Kyiv to provide modern fighter jets.

Military analysts report that there are three main candidates for a new Western aircraft for Ukraine's Air Force.

France retired its fourth-generation Dassault Mirage 2000 last year. Paris is believed to have around 300 of its fighter.

The Mirage 2000 made its first flight in 1978, and the plane is 14 meters long, has a wingspan of 9 meters and has only one jet engine.

The Mirage 2000C has a top speed of 2,336 km/h and a range of 1,500 km. The aircraft has 9 pylons for attaching weapons, which have a maximum weight of 6,300 kg. It also has two 30mm guns with a total of 250 rounds.

The fighter can engage targets in the air and on the ground, and in terms of attack performance it is more effective than the Soviet MiG-21, MiG-23 and even the MiG-29.

The Mirage 2000 has several major drawbacks, most notably the lack of a long-range radar-guided missile. In the past, Ukrainian Air Force pilots have been very clear about the requirement for more advanced radar-guided missiles, especially those with active radar guidance, such as the AIM-120.

However, the Mirage 2000C has been upgraded to perform ground attack missions using 500-pound GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs, which could also be delivered if the United States gives approval.

The French aircraft can easily perform air defense missions as well.

Denmark is in the process of retiring F-16s, so it could potentially provide a ready source of these aircraft. Copenhagen has 33 units of the aircraft. Last week, the Netherlands announced that it would consider any request to transfer its aircraft to Ukraine. Amsterdam has not given firm confirmation, but it currently has 40 F-16s.

In fact, the F-16 is one of the most common aircraft in the world, with over 4,600 built. Ukraine would be unlikely to receive the latest modifications to the aircraft, with F-16C/D or MLU versions more likely.

The F-16A/B Block 15 MLU can be armed with the AIM-120 missile. It is an air-to-air missile with an over-the-horizon range. Since 2008, over 14,000 of the missile have been produced for the US and 33 international customers. It has proven to be an easy to use and highly effective weapon. According to available information, Ukraine has already agreed to receive the AIM-120 missile.

The F-16 can carry a diverse array of air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles and bombs. They can be deployed on a total of 11 weapon pylons, and the total weight of the ammunition can reach 7 tons.

The maximum speed is 2120 km/h, and the combat radius depends on the armament. In order for Ukraine to acquire the F-16, it must obtain permission from the US. This is currently lacking, as Washington recently officially announced that it does not intend to arm Kyiv with the aircraft.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank in the United Kingdom has pointed out that the Swedish-made JAS-39 Gripen is the best Western fighter for Ukraine.

The reasons for this are its proven ability to operate from rougher tracks, with minimal maintenance. The aircraft can carry the wide range of potential munitions.

Gripen is one of the most budget and economical modern fighters. It made its first flight in 1988, but Sweden did not test it until the mid-1990s, when it was officially put into service.

The Swedish fighter is also multi-role and can carry out air and ground strikes. The maximum permissible weight of the weapons is 6.5 tons, and they can be attached to a total of 10 weapon pylons.

The radar is pulse-doppler, with Sweden planning to upgrade to active and phased. However, even in its current form it can track several targets at once.

The maximum speed of the Gripen is 2410 km/h, and the aircraft is very maneuverable in the air and can also take off and land on very short and snowy runways, including highways.

Saab is proud that the operating cost of their aircraft is 50% lower than its Western competitors. An hour in the air on the Gripen costs $4,700, while the F-16 costs $7,700.

Gripen is in service in Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Brazil, Thailand and South Africa. Over 270 units of the aircraft have been produced, but finding spare aircraft for Ukraine may be an obstacle.