The West must “urgently strengthen” Ukraine’s air defense capability, including with US F-16s and F-18s and Swedish Gripen aircraft. Russian pilots have been cautious throughout the war, so even a small number of Western fighters could have a significant deterrent effect, according to the report by the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi). He warns that Western military aid is mainly focused on the ground war, as Ukraine has managed to contain the Russian air force. However, “there is a real danger that this success will lead to Western complacency about the threat that [Russian air power] it can still put Ukrainian forces, infrastructure and cities, if an opening is given.” Speaking to the Telegraph, Justin Bronk, lead author of the report, said the F-16, F-18 and Gripens could offer Ukrainian fighter pilots “far superior radar performance and the ability to use much longer range and more capable western air -air. missiles’ compared to the Soviet-made Su-27 and Mig-29 models that Ukraine currently operates.
