Ukrainian Army Aviation

The Ukrainian Army Aviation Ukrainian: Армійська авіація України)[3] is a military aviation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.

Ukrainian Army Aviation
Ukrainian: Армійська авіація України
Founded1992
CountryUkraine
TypeArmy Aviation
Size4 Brigades
Engagements
Insignia
Previous logo
Roundel
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMil Mi-2, Mil Mi-8, Mil Mi-24

History

edit

The first formations of army aviation in the revived Ukrainian were formed in 1992 when the former Soviet 119th Regiment joined the Ukrainian military.[4]

During the first four months of the War in Donbas, Ukraine suffered considerable losses, including four Mi-24 gunships and two Mi-8 helicopter transports.[5] Due the widespread availability of surface-to-air missiles amongst the separatist militias, the UAA was forced to restrict the use of its assets.[1]

In 2014 the 16th Brigade participated in the liberation of Slovyansk.[6]

International missions

edit

Structure

edit
 
A Mi-2MSB

Structure:[7]

 
A Mi-8MSB-V

Aircraft

edit

The UAA operates overhauled Soviet-era Mi-2, Mi-8, and Mi-24 helicopters. Some of them were locally modernized as the Mi-2MSB, Mi-8MSB-V, and Mi-24PU-1.[2]

 
A Ukrainian Mi-24

In January 2022, Key.Aero estimated that the UAA had a total of 15 Mi-2s, 60 Mi-8s, and 60 Mi-24s. Some of these were non-operational at the time, while eight Mi-8s were deployed in Congo to support the United Nations MONUSCO mission. Since then, these helicopters were recalled, while allied nations such as the United States and the Czech Republic donated helicopters to help Ukraine replenish its losses in combat.[2]

In December 2023, FlightGlobal estimated that the UAA had a total of 103 helicopters in active service, while in February 2024, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated a total of 60 helicopters in service.[11][12]

Current equipment

edit
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8 Soviet Union Utility Mi-8MT
Mi-8MSB-V
15[12] − 59[11] Some modernized by Motor Sich.[2]
Mil Mi-24 Soviet Union Attack Mi-24/35 33[11] − 45[12]
Trainers
Mil Mi-2 Poland Utility Mi-2
Mi-2MSB
11[11] Most were modernized by Motor Sich.[2]

Former equipment

edit

The 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade operated 4 Mi-26 heavy transport helicopters, they were withdrawn from service and placed in storage around the 2000s. The UAA also had a number of Mi-9 flying command posts (though they were used for training or transport instead).[2] As of 2024, none remain in service according to the IISS.[12]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Galeotti 2019, p. 50.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Trendafilovski, Vladimir (25 July 2022). "An overview of Ukrainian Army Aviation". Key.Aero. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Армійська авіація – Український мілітарний портал". mil.in.ua. Archived from the original on 2017-02-28.
  4. ^ 16th separate Brigade of army aviation (Brody) (16а окрема бригада армійської авіації (Броди)). Aviatsiya Halychyny.
  5. ^ Galeotti 2019, p. 49.
  6. ^ "10 pilots won't win a war. There must be 100 and all prepared", chief (10 льотчиків не виграють війну. Їх має бути 100 і всі підготовлені — начальник). Hazeta po ukrayinsky. 5 March 2019
  7. ^ "Сухопутні війська". www.ukrmilitary.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Ukraine Army Aviation". Scramble.nl. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. August 2022. p. 44.
  10. ^ a b c AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. August 2022. p. 46.
  11. ^ a b c d Hoyle 2023, p. 32.
  12. ^ a b c d IISS 2024, p. 212.

Bibliography

edit