This week, Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia indicated that it could procure Australia’s surplus of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets.
According to The War Zone, Vasyl Myroshnychenko said that Kyiv was “at the early stage studying the technical characteristics and operability of the aircraft.”
This news follows closely behind the White House’s recent sharp reversal regarding its stance on providing advanced fighter platforms to Kyiv.
During the G7 Summit in Japan earlier this month, the Biden administration let go of its longstanding hesitation to send over F-16 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine following months of requests by Kyiv. While rumors have circulated regarding the possible transfer of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) sidelined Hornets to Kyiv, this is the first real indication that such a transfer may actually transpire.
“High-level international negotiations are continuing between Australia, Ukraine, and the United States over the fate of the decommissioned fighter aircraft, in what could become this country’s largest-ever single transfer of military equipment to a foreign power,” the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) wrote last week. Additionally, An Australian security expert advising Ukraine confirmed that negotiations surrounding the RAAF Hornets were underway. According to the expert, “Australia operates a large stockpile of retired planes which are otherwise scheduled for destruction,” adding that “there are multiple formal approvals required to conclude a procurement of these planes, but it is likely an idea whose time has come.”
Why Kyiv would want the Hornet
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has frequently requested the delivery of fourth-generation fighters from the U.S. and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies. Ukraine currently flies Soviet-era platforms that are also used by Russia’s Air Force. In March, a Congressional Research Service report detailed that the aerial capabilities Kyiv lacks include intelligence, air superiority, suppression of air defenses and ground attack roles. The incorporation of F-16s or F/A-18 fighters would undoubtedly enhance Ukraine’s air capacity in the ongoing conflict.
How would the F/A-18 Hornet aid Ukraine’s defenses?
According to Australian news outlets, the F/A-18 Hornet airframes being considered for Ukraine are currently located at an RAAF base outside of Newcastle and have otherwise been decommissioned for retirement. If these fighters are transferred, they would play a significant role in aiding Kyiv’s defensive efforts.
While Western-delivered air defense systems like the Patriot have enabled Ukraine to intercept some Russian barrages, fourth-generation fighters would shoot down more enemy missiles. Equipped with twin engines, the Super Hornets are also more durable than some of Ukraine’s other airframes since pilots can land the airframe even if one engine is lost in combat.
Although the White House largely ruled out a potential transfer of F-16s in the past, the Biden team’s recent reversal coincides with the commencement of Ukraine’s highly anticipated counter-offensive. In addition to the likely delivery of more modern fighters in the near future, Kyiv is expected to receive a slew of advanced Western main battle tanks (MBTs), including the American M1A1 Abrams, the British Challenger and the German Leopard 2.
Maya Carlin, a Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
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