A Sukhoi Su-27 takes off from Starokostiantyniv Air Base, Ukraine. [File Photo: U.S. Air National Guard by Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn]
Key Takeaways:
The Ukrainian Air Force was established in March 1992, formed from Soviet aircraft left behind after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
According to Globalfirepower.com, it currently comprises 318 aircraft and approximately 200,000 personnel, headquartered in Vinnytsia.
The UAF has updated its fleet over the years, now including aircraft like Ilyushin Il-76s, Antonov transports, MiG-29s, Sukhoi fighters, and Mil Mi-8 helicopters.
Its current fleet includes 69 fighters, 29 dedicated attack aircraft, 32 transports, 71 trainers, 5 special mission aircraft, and 112 helicopters (34 of which are attack helicopters).
The Ukrainian Air Force was created in March 1992 out of aircraft that were left behind when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and pulled out of Poltava Air Base in central Ukraine.
The aircraft ranged from Soviet-built fighters such as the MiG-21, 25s and 27s, Sukhoi Su-15, 17 interceptors, and Tupolev Tu-160 bombers.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
