The Australian government is in full talks with Ukraine and the United States for the supply of 41 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to Kiev. Originally, Canberra had planned to scrap the aircraft, but now believes the old fighter can help provide air cover to Ukraine in its war against Russia. According to the Australia Financial Review, if an agreement is reached, Kiev will have the Hornets in about four months.
According to that medium, Washington’s approval is needed because it owns the Hornets’ intellectual property. The Ukrainian military can learn to fly the aircraft “quickly”, thanks to instruction manuals written in the Ukrainian language and training given by former Hornet pilots themselves.
The aircraft are old and have already been retired from the Australian Air Force, so the sale price to Ukraine will be reduced. If it doesn’t sell them, Australia still has the option of scrapping them, but also has the option of selling them to RAVN Aerospace, a commercial aviation company that will use them to train American pilots.
All of Australia’s F/A-18 Hornets are based in a hangar at the RAAF Base in Williamstown, in the south-east of the country. Canberra intends to gradually replace them with 72 F-35 fighters, which it has already requested from the manufacturing company Lockheed Martin.
Although the Hornets have been parked in a hangar for three years, some sources assure they are in good condition as they have not flown over the ocean according to the Australian outlet, which ensures that the “vast majority” of Hornets will Requires little work to operate in Ukraine”.
What will the Hornets bring to Ukraine?
According to experts cited by the Australia Financial Review, the F/A-18 Hornets will help improve Ukraine’s air defenses, as the Patriot anti-missile systems do not cover less urbanized areas. These aircraft are capable of intercepting and shooting down enemy missiles. In addition, they have a double engine, which increases the chances of survival several times in case of damage.
“One pilot can take off with one engine and Ukraine can’t afford to lose pilots. And the Hornets are better suited than other fourth-generation jets for the most difficult airspace in Ukraine,” says the Australian outlet. Is.
