The Air Force Coalition's achievements: from Soviet-era aircraft parts to F-16s, Mirages, and ASC 890s

The Air Force Coalition, which facilitates the shift of Ukrainian aviation to Western aircraft, was created under the Ramstein 2.0 framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

The need to replace the Soviet-era fleet of tactical aircraft with a Western multi-role fighter platform had been under consideration long before the full-scale invasion. The options considered included the Swedish Gripen, the American F-15/F-16, and the French Rafale. Eventually, the creation of the Air Force Coalition in May 2023 marked the beginning of this essential task's realization.

Currently, the Coalition consists of 14 member countries (Belgium, Canada, Czechia, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and is led by the Coalition's leading countries (Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States). Finland and Greece are also considering their participation.

The Coalition’s mission is to equip Ukraine with Western-style aircraft and aviation munitions, while also training Ukrainian pilots, mechanics, engineers, and other staff to maintain the aircraft. These efforts are focused on strengthening and developing the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, facilitating the transition of the aircraft fleet to modern Western aircraft models, and, crucially, ensuring interoperability with NATO Air Forces.

“Our pilots demonstrate their proficiency and the operational effectiveness of Western aircraft in Ukrainian airspace. To counter russian attacks and secure air superiority, we require more aircraft. We are working with our partners on this and await their decisions regarding the transfer of additional platforms to achieve the ultimate goal of interoperability between our aviation and theirs,” emphasized Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration, Sergiy Boyev.

The Coalition's efforts also include maintaining and supporting arms and equipment already in use in Ukraine. Even before the initiative was established, Slovakia and Poland were among the first to supply Ukraine with large consignments of spare parts for Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG-29 fighters. 

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have already announced their commitment to transfer F-16 aircraft. Ukraine has already received the first of these aircraft in 2024 from Denmark and the Netherlands. France has also announced the transfer of Mirage fighter jets to Ukraine in 2025. 

A mechanism is currently being developed for the transfer of two ASC 890 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which Sweden announced in May 2024, as well as for the retraining of aviation personnel to operate and maintain them. 

Most countries within the Air Force Coalition continue to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other aircraft set for delivery.

Due to the sensitive nature of the information, the Air Force Coalition's activities are not publicly disclosed, and most decisions are made public only post-factum. 

In total, eight Capability Coalitions have been established within the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group: The Air Force Coalition, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Coalition, the Maritime Capability Coalition, the Drone Coalition, the IT Coalition, the Artillery Coalition, the Armored Vehicles and Maneuverability Coalition, and the Demining Capability Coalition.