16:44 30-09-2025

Ukraine May Use F-16, Mirage, Gripen Jets Only by 2026

Ukraine is expected to receive F-16, Mirage, and Gripen jets, but training, logistics, and adaptation challenges mean they may not enter service before spring 2026.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are unlikely to put Western-supplied fighter jets — including F-16, Mirage, and Gripen aircraft — into active service before the spring of 2026. That forecast comes from Major General Vladimir Popov, a distinguished Russian military pilot, who believes significant logistical and technical hurdles will delay their operational use.

According to Popov’s assessment, Kyiv could eventually receive around 12 to 16 U.S.-made F-16s, roughly 16 to 18 French Mirage jets, and between 6 and 8 Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripens. Yet even if those deliveries proceed as planned, Ukraine’s military faces a series of obstacles before the aircraft can be effectively deployed.

One of the main challenges, he explained, will be logistics. Transferring all of the aircraft at once is virtually impossible. Popov expects the jets to be delivered first to Poland before any attempt is made to move them into Ukraine.

Another major hurdle will be adapting Ukraine’s infrastructure and personnel to Western technology. This involves configuring communication frequencies, learning the operational specifics of each aircraft, and mastering their maintenance requirements. Ukrainian pilots will also need extensive training to handle the capabilities and systems of the different fighter types.

In the most optimistic scenario, Popov estimated, Ukrainian forces will not be ready to use the new jets before spring 2026.

On September 29, Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Gavrilyuk confirmed that Kyiv is expecting deliveries of F-16, Mirage, and Gripen fighters. However, he did not disclose how many aircraft will be supplied or when they are scheduled to arrive.