In the context of the imminent retirement of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aging Eurofighter Tranche 1 combat aircraft, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has ruled out the possibility of transferring these jets, which are slated for scrapping, to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, it has also stated that it will continue to support and maintain current training programs, including basic flight training, language courses, and other initiatives for pilots and personnel undergoing instruction in the UK to operate and sustain the F-16 fighters transferred by European allies.
Over the past three years of conflict, one of the most significant forms of aid received by Kyiv has been the transfer of approximately 90 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets to equip the Ukrainian Air Force. This process has been carried out by a coalition of countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, with support from the United States. Additional backing has come from other nations that, while not operating the U.S.-made fighter jet themselves, have contributed to the training and basic instruction of future Ukrainian pilots on this new platform.
Among these supporting nations, the United Kingdom has played a key role through Operation Interstorm, providing Ukrainian pilots with basic flight, ground, and language training. To date, training has been completed in the UK for 200 personnel, who have been instructed in fundamental aspects of combat aviation, such as general aircraft control, low-altitude navigation, and the execution of complex formations, among other skills. They have also received English language training to ensure they can maximize their foundational flight courses, qualifying them for advanced training on high-speed aircraft.
However, in recent months, various studies and analyses have explored the possibility of expanding the UK’s support beyond training and instruction. Among the options considered was the potential transfer of some of the RAF’s retiring Eurofighter Tranche 1 aircraft, primarily to be used as a source of spare parts for the remaining fleet before being scrapped.
This possibility was once again brought up in the UK Parliament during a series of questions and answers directed at Luke Pollard, Minister for the Armed Forces. Conservative MP Mark Francois inquired about the defense ministry’s assessment of this option, to which Pollard responded that the aircraft had been evaluated multiple times for potential transfer to the Ukrainian Air Force and that London had consulted Kyiv on several occasions. However, the option was ultimately dismissed following confirmation of the transfer of Danish and Dutch F-16s.
Additionally, Pollard argued that the number of F-16s pledged for transfer to Ukraine is significantly higher than the number of Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft still in service with the RAF. As a result, the fate of these aircraft remains unchanged, with the retirement of 26 units scheduled for this year.
Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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