Ukraine plans to establish facilities for the production and repair of modern Western combat aircraft. The necessary provisions have already been included in agreements between Kiev and foreign defense companies.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Anatoly Krivonozhko said long-term technological requirements were incorporated into contracts with Western partners as part of the effort to modernize the country’s combat aircraft fleet.

According to the lieutenant general, contracts covering Gripen and Rafale fighters include provisions for localizing production and repair work in Ukraine.

Krivonozhko said the main objective is to create a domestic maintenance base capable of servicing foreign aircraft directly inside the country.

International specialists in the field believe the plans could involve Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter and France’s Dassault Rafale.

Ukraine’s military and political leadership expects the transfer of Western technologies to allow domestic defense companies to service complex imported aircraft independently. This would reduce the need to regularly send the equipment to European plants for repairs.

Defense industry experts, however, doubt that such a program can be implemented quickly. Establishing production and maintenance capabilities for fourth-generation fighters would require major upgrades at Ukrainian aviation enterprises as well as lengthy training for specialists.

Another major concern is the vulnerability of the infrastructure itself. Large production buildings and repair hangars in Ukraine are considered priority targets for Russian strikes.

Relevant ministries and agencies in Kiev are currently working out the stages and timetable for preparing infrastructure to service future aircraft deliveries. Western partners have not yet announced specific dates for the possible transfer of licenses to manufacture individual components and assemblies.