The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine need primarily a multifunctional combat aircraft, which is able to use weapons both for air and ground targets.

Yuriy Ignat, spokesman for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in his comment to Ukrainian Pravda appreciated the idea of enthusiasts regarding the possible replenishment of the tactical aviation fleet by American A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft.

“In particular, we are talking about multifunctional US-manufactured fighters F-16, F-15, or F-18 of certain modifications, or their European counterparts,” said a representative of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The possible transfer of attack aircraft to Ukraine, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, began to be discussed in the media after the Time’s publication.

American journalists told the story about the initiative to train Ukrainian pilots of these machines with the help of simulators and consultations of American retired pilots. The publication described a “secret center” in which several Ukrainian pilots are already undergoing preliminary training.

At the same time, the Air Force of Ukraine has not confirmed that its pilots are currently undergoing appropriate training. The Air Force press service explained that specialists tested the equipment, but no planned training of pilots is currently being discussed.

The Air Force stressed that in the current war, the work of attack aircraft is complicated by the presence of a large number of enemy’s air defense equipment.

It is worth noting that both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the enemy now use the same type of Soviet attack aircraft as the Su-25. However, in most cases, both sides use unguided rockets from pitch up, because of the threat of aircraft loss. That is, from a long distance and without line of sight, the target on which the strike will be carried out.

The operation of the Su-25 attack aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the conditions of saturation of the front line with the enemy’s air defense systems

One of the main advantages of the Thunderbolt II A-10 — the seven-barrel 30 mm gun GAU-8 Avenger — does not have favorable conditions for effective use under such conditions. An attack aircraft can work with a dive on a target, that is, entering the air defense zone. Successful usage of ‘warthogs’, for example, in the Desert Storm operation in Iraq took place in the face of total Allied air dominance, the suppression of an air defense and enemy fighters threats.

Operation of A-10 Thunderbolt II against ground targets

The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are interested in obtaining a single multifunctional platform that would be able to use modern high-precision air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. A number of Western aircraft can claim this role.

Previously, on July 15, the US Congress adopted a draft of Pentagon`s budget in which it provided $100 million for the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 and F-15 types aircrafts. U.S. senators have asked the U.S. Defense Department to include F-16 and F-15 aircraft in future military aid packages to Ukraine. The Pentagon reported that it is now conducting research on the prospect of transferring multifunctional aircraft to Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots are lobbying for the prospect of transferring modern aircraft and anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine. In the summer of 2022, a delegation of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine paid a visit to Washington, where they held a number of meetings in the interests of future rearmament. American actor Sean Penn actively participates in the advocacy campaign for the transfer of F-16 to Ukraine.

According to their estimates of Ukrainian pilots, it may take six months to acquire F-16-type aircraft at the proper level according to the accelerated program.