Ukraine’s state-run military production giant UkrOboronProm says it provided the country’s Armed Forces with approximately 50 aircraft in 2018, having updated and reinforced the country’s military air fleet with modernized and repaired planes and helicopters.
The aircraft overhauled over the past year included Sukhoi Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters, Sukhoi Su-25 close air support jets, and Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft, An-26 and Il-76 airlifts, L-39 jet trainers, along with Mi-24, Mi-14, and Mi-8 helicopters, UkrOboronProm’s press service reported on Jan. 2.
In particular, a number of MiG-29 fighters were modernized to the MiG-29MU1 version at the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant.
“These planes have been equipped with a high power radar that increases the effective range of detection of airborne targets, and also with a satellite navigation system integrated into the on-board communications complex,” the concern said.
“Besides, the capabilities for controlling and monitoring the technical health of the aircraft, its engine and a number of on-board systems were also greatly improved. These planes are (now) capable of performing joint missions with NATO nations forces.”
In general, the concern added, the Ukrainian Air Forces had received “approximately half a dozen” modernized MiG-29s, and more such aircraft would be supplied in 2019.
Besides, the Aviakon factory, based in the city of Konotop in Sumy Oblast some 200 kilometers northeast of Kyiv, supplied “over 15” upgraded military helicopters, such the famous Mi-24 attack helicopters and Mi-8MTP medium helicopters equipped for radio-electronic warfare.
“The dedicated equipment of this helicopters jam ground-based radar targeting detectors, enabling them to “bedazzle” and confuse the enemy,” the concern said.
At least five repaired and modernized L-39 trainer jets were also supplied to the Air Forces last year.
The Soviet-produced Sukhoi family of planes, still the workhorses of Ukraine’s air force, were also upgraded in 2018. Several Su-27 fighters were modernized into the Su-27-1M version, featuring a new radar that has a 30 percent greater air target detection range, and also new navigation, control, and monitoring systems.
The old Su-25 close air support jet, modernized into the Su-25M1K version and also supplied to the air force, features new, Ukrainian-produced digital aiming scopes instead of the older analog device, new radio stations, and the new Adros anti-jamming system.
A Ukraine’s Air Forces L-39 trainer jets demonstrated at the Ozerne airfield in the Zhytomyr Oblast on Dec. 26, 2018. (UkrOboronProm)
“This complex multiplies the plane’s protection against infrared-guided missiles by dazzling their target-seeking devices and releasing special flares,” UkrOboronProm said.
Earlier, on Dec. 19, the concern also reported that it had repaired and modernized over 1,000 armored vehicles, both heavy tanks, and light armor, for the Armed Forces in 2018.
Over 650 such vehicles were repaired in 2018 by UkrOboronProm’s mobile teams in the field, including the war zone in the east of Ukraine, which saved time on transporting broken-down hardware to factories.
