Poland and Slovakia to deliver combat aircraft to Kiev

Either way, the MiG-29, these iconic Soviet fighter-bombers, is among the most widely deployed military aircraft in the world. These planes date back to the 1990s, so they do not fully meet the Ukrainian demand: the latest generation of Western-made aircraft, such as the F-16 or the American F-35. But this is still the first time that NATO countries have supplied combat aircraft to Kiev.

And the advantage for Ukraine is that these devices work instantly: Ukrainian pilots know how to use them. Small Slovakia, with a population of five million, is doing the best it can. This Friday, March 17 in Bratislava, its Prime Minister Edward Heger announced the delivery of 13 of these devices in the coming weeks. The day before, Thursday 16 March, Poland had set in motion with the promise of imminent delivery of four MiGs. In total, that makes 17 aircraft.

Slovakia specifies that the European Union will compensate it in return, through the financial mechanism called the “European Peace Facility”. Bratislava intends to stop using the MiG-29s anyway and replace them by next year with American F-16s. As for Poland, it proceeded Huge aircraft purchase program The number of fighters is 80 in total, American and mainly South Korean aircraft. It should be remembered that other Western countries are not currently planning to deliver aircraft to Ukraine.

1st Battalion of German Leopard Heavy Tanks

On the side of ground armament this time, at the end of January 2023, more than 150 Leopard tanks were promised to Ukraine within a few days. In the end, it probably won’t be as much. Holland and Denmark, for example, fell behind. And it takes a little longer than expected. But Kiev still should quickly have a full battalion of these German-made tanks, at least 31: 14 supplied by Poland, eight from Canada, eight from Norway and six from Spain. Even if they are essentially older versions of the Leopard, the 2A4 (we’re on the 2A7 today), is a significant upgrade for the Ukrainian military. Especially since Sweden, Finland and Germany also announce deliveries. So it is likely that a second battalion of 31 tanks could be formed quickly. Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers are In training on this equipment in Germany And in Spain. Kyiv is relying on Leopard tanks to attempt a counterattack in the coming weeks.

French AMX light tanks arrive in Ukraine

Finally, with regard to French equipment, the last fact is access to Ukraine AMX-10 RC Light Tanks. The Ministry of the Armed Forces did not specify their number. And there again, many Ukrainian soldiers are training on this equipment in the south of France. Paris will deliver too 10 additional caesar guns, And perhaps by summer, a SampT/Mamba medium-range surface-to-air battery system. This high-tech French-Italian system awaits Kiev. France is also preparing to manufacture a large number of 155 mm shells, which are in high demand by the Ukrainians, all thanks to the powder in the quantities supplied by Australia.