Air Force Capability Coalition Identifies Helicopters as Priority for Aid to Ukraine

The Air Force Capability Coalition has identified the development of Ukraine’s helicopter capabilities as one of five priority areas for further assistance to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported this.

The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Secretariat and working groups of the Air Force Capability Coalition in Kyiv. Representatives of Ukraine, the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada took part in the meeting.

Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian Ground Forces’ Army Aviation plans to receive U.S.-made UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to replace Soviet-era helicopters.

In addition to developing helicopter capabilities, the partners will focus on developing aviation infrastructure, training personnel, maintaining existing aviation capabilities, and expanding defense-industrial and military-technical cooperation.

Mi-17 helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, June 2023. Photo: Joint Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The meeting participants also separately discussed the creation of an Air Force Capability Coalition Fund. It is intended to improve coordination among countries and help attract funding.

The Air Force Capability Coalition was established in 2023 as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format. It currently includes 14 countries.

The coalition’s work covers more than the transfer of fighter aircraft to Ukraine. The partners also assist with training pilots, engineers and technicians, supplying aviation weapons, developing airfield infrastructure and repair capabilities, and providing protected shelters.

Under this framework, Ukraine has already received F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Cooperation with Sweden on JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets is also underway.

Another area is the training of Ukrainian aviation personnel. For this purpose, partners are providing mobile F-16 simulators, while the Czech Republic uses L-39 trainer aircraft and Alto NG light aircraft to train Ukrainian pilots.

An important component of the future system is Sweden’s ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft. It can detect aerial targets at considerable distances and transmit information to coordinate aviation operations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has not yet specified which helicopter platforms or programs are planned to be developed as part of the identified priority.

Earlier, in 2024, German company HENSOLDT received a contract to supply protection systems for Ukrainian helicopters.

The development of helicopter capabilities is expected to become part of a broader transformation of Ukraine’s Air Force along Western standards, together with combat aviation, reconnaissance, personnel training, weapons and aviation infrastructure.