According to the UNIAN agency, French media report that the agreement envisages the supply of Rafale multi-role fighter jets. The agency also featured an interview with aviation expert Valery Romanenko from the State Aviation Museum, who discussed their capabilities and significance for the Ukrainian armed forces.

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Romanenko warned that current Ukrainian aircraft"cannot conduct air combat at the same level" and Ukraine needs machines that can destroy "KAB carriers". According to him,"F-16s cannot fight on an equal footing with Russian fighters, neither in terms of armament nor radars."

Rafale and their armament

The expert explained that the Rafale currently uses MICA missiles with a range of 80 kilometers, but France has already introduced more modern Meteor missiles with a range of 200 kilometers. According to him, the Meteor uses a jet engine,"which significantly increases the range" and is only the first version with the potential for further improvements.

In comparison to Russian missiles, Romanenko said that the Russians have weapons with a range of 120 kilometers and special R-37M missiles, which are said to have a range of 300 kilometers, but"they actually shot down planes at a distance of about 200 kilometers." The expert said that these Russian missiles are mainly intended for surprise attacks, but modern Western machines can"intercept the guidance and activate the protection system."

If Ukraine receives the Rafale, Romanenko said, it will have capabilities comparable to Russia's thanks to its radars and armament. He pointed out that thanks to the aircraft's design,"the Russians will see us at 150 km, but we will see them at 200 km." With Meteor missiles, Ukraine could hit Russian aircraft before they can intercept it.

Former Slovak MiG-29 blew up Russian command. Ukrainians boasted of precise action

According to information published by Air Fighter on Telegram, the target of the attack was a command post from which the Russians coordinated drone operations. Ukrainian forces discovered it hidden in a strip of vegetation. The MiG-29 approached the target at low altitude to avoid radar detection, and then performed a sharp climb, during which it dropped guided bombs. Immediately, the pilot turned back and returned to his home base. The fighters recorded the entire action on video.

Deliveries will not be immediate

Dassault's production capacity is limited. Romanenko said the manufacturer has"orders for 299 aircraft" and is currently producing three aircraft per month with plans to increase the pace to five. Deliveries to Ukraine will therefore not be immediate, but the country could"receive some used aircraft" for training, which the expert said are fully functional.

He cited the political situation in France as an important factor - warning that if Marine Le Pen wins, all supplies, including spare parts and software, could be frozen, which would cause"aircraft to remain on the ground as targets for missiles."

Pilot training

Romanenko estimates that retraining pilots and technicians will take "at least eight months." He recalled the experience with the F-16, where training took longer due to insufficient language preparation. However, pilots with experience on the F-16 can switch to the Rafale more quickly, as they"know the language, NATO terminology, equipment and procedures."

The first machines were promised to Ukraine "in three years at the earliest," which, according to Romanenko, provides time to gradually build up qualified personnel.

The problem of the Ukrainian Air Force

The expert also pointed out the complications brought about by the current diversity of aircraft in use. He described this situation as"very bad" because it requires a large number of specialized ground personnel. With different types of aircraft,"the personnel from a MiG-29 or an F-16 cannot prepare a Rafale for a combat flight."

According to Romanenko, Ukraine is forced to distribute personnel and aircraft among multiple airports to reduce the risk of Russian attacks, which additionally complicates logistics.