Ukraine

War-torn country has sought access to the fighter jets in order to modernize its air defenses following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Pilot Oleksiy Mes, known as ‘Moonfish,’ is killed while defending against what is described as Russia’s largest aerial assault on Ukraine.

The country received its first few Vipers in late July and expects it will have around 20 fighter pilots ready for combat by the end of the year.

The fighter jets are initially expected to operate well out of harm’s way, targeting drones and conducting defensive operations.

Following the success of taking out Russian drones with shotguns in a Yak-52, the military is now training to use the rag-and-tube A-22.

The first-of-its-kind competition challenged combat pilots from the U.S., U.K., Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany.

The confirmation comes days after the Nordic country marked the sale of two dozen of its F-16s to Argentina.

The 10 combat aviators will now undergo advanced fast jet training, the Royal Air Force said.

The $54.3 million refurbishment of the Soviet-era airbase is meant to strengthen the alliance’s presence in the Western Balkans.

Delivery of the small unmanned aerial systems will begin in the spring.