Ukrainian Pilots Warn of Critical Condition of Flight Equipment for MiG-29, Su-27 and L-39

Ukrainian military pilots have warned that flight equipment is in critical condition, with its service life expiring faster than that of the aircraft themselves.

The safety risk to pilots was reported by the Sonyashnyk Telegram community, which is closely associated with Ukrainian aviators, Defenсe Blog reports.

The issue affects fleets of MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, as well as L-39 training aircraft.

The concern comes amid continuous air operations, which are placing excessive strain on pilot life-support systems. A gap has emerged between the combat readiness of the aircraft and the reliability of auxiliary equipment critical to pilot survival.

Representatives of the aviation community said that if Ukraine plans to operate MiG fighters through 2030, personnel must be equipped with modern gear. This directly affects the ability to carry out daily combat missions.

Pilots pointed to recent images of Serbian armed forces personnel, where MiG-29 pilots use modern oxygen masks and helmets. Ukrainian pilots, by contrast, continue to rely on Soviet-era systems developed in the 1960s and 1980s.

A particularly acute situation is observed in training aviation brigades operating L-39 aircraft. They still use outdated ZSh-3 helmets, ShL-82 leather helmet-phones and KM-32 oxygen masks.

The equipment issue has remained unresolved for years. In 2020, a controversy arose over modern US helmets transferred by the California Air National Guard to replace Soviet equipment.

Despite expectations, the helmets and oxygen masks were never put into service. Ukrainian officials said at the time that the equipment did not meet national military standards and was placed in storage.

Flight equipment plays a central role in combat aviation, ensuring breathing at high altitudes and protection from g-forces. Compatibility with aircraft systems is essential for safe operation.

Recently, pilots have sought to address the issue through private initiatives and volunteer support. Charitable foundations have helped procure flight suits and other auxiliary equipment.

However, specialized systems such as oxygen equipment require complex adaptation and certification for use on Soviet-designed aircraft, creating additional technical and bureaucratic barriers to rapid modernization.