How many fighter jets does Britain have? Zelenskyj aims for “Jets coalition”.
Kraine’s president wants to form a “Jets coalition” after personal talks with Rishi Sunak, as the UK has pledged to send hundreds of new long-range combat drones to Ukraine.
After discussions with Mr Sunak at Checkers about military aid to his country, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that jets are a “very important issue for us because we cannot control the skies”.
He added: “I think you’ll be hearing important decisions shortly, but we still have a bit of work to do.”
The Prime Minister said the UK will start training Ukrainian pilots to operate Western warplanes “relatively soon” and will open a new flight school.
Mr Sunak said the couple discussed “long-term” security arrangements by allied countries for Ukraine as their troops prepare for a counter-offensive against invading Russian forces.
Earlier, Ukraine’s president asked Britain and other Western allies to give its air force “wings for freedom” by supplying fighter jets.
The application was made during his first trip to the UK since Russia invaded Ukraine last February.
Speaking to Parliament, Mr Zelenskyy thanked the UK for its unwavering support during the conflict.
However, he stated that more planes were needed to defeat Vladimir Putin’s forces and presented the Speaker of Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle with a Ukrainian fighter pilot’s helmet.
He said: “I appeal to you and the world with simple yet important words: fighter jets for Ukraine, wings for freedom.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) with British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace
/ Sky newsHow many fighter jets does Britain have?
The Eurofighter Typhoon and the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning are the two main fighter aircraft types in the Royal Air Force (RAF).
It has 30 F-35Bs, all but one of which are operational, and 130 Typhoon, of which 101 are operational. This indicates that there are 130 active combat aircraft in the RAF.
Seven of the 48 F-35Bs that Britain ordered in the US last year have already arrived. An accident resulted in the loss of one of the aircraft.
The UK will have 70 F-35Bs by the time the final 40 arrive and plans to purchase more.
Will Britain supply fighter jets to Ukraine?
Downing Street said a basic flight phase for cohorts of Ukrainian pilots would begin this summer.
This follows the government’s announcement that it will deploy hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles and other unmanned aerial systems, including hundreds of new long-range attack drones with a range of more than 200km.
These will be delivered in the next few months.
Speaking at the prime minister’s country meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukrainians were “heartily grateful” for the UK government’s support.
It follows Mr Sunak’s pledge on the first anniversary of the conflict in February that British forces would train Ukrainian fighter pilots and marines.
The arguments for and against supplying fighter jets to Ukraine
Mr. Zelenksy has previously stated that the sooner Ukraine receives long-range heavy weapons and modern aircraft, the sooner Russian aggression will end.
Since the beginning of the war, Moscow has repeatedly warned the West against arms deliveries and threatened to take action against any “provocations”.
Asked by reporters in Moscow about the growing controversy over sending warplanes to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia sees it as evidence of the growing involvement of Britain, France and Germany in the conflict.
Several EU politicians have already emphasized that decisions on combat aircraft are made collectively.
Some people are anxious to keep the discussion out of the public eye, others fear it will escalate and fuel Russian narratives.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said many sensitive issues needed to be discussed before a decision could be made on the delivery of fighter jets. “The pros and cons – you absolutely have to make sure you don’t get caught up in a direct Article 5 confrontation between NATO and Russia.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently agreed to allow German Leopard tanks to be used in the conflict and warned against engaging in a “public bidding war” for weapons systems for Ukraine.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/how-many-fighter-jets-does-uk-have-typhoons-ukraine-b1059179.html How many fighter jets does Britain have? Zelenskyj aims for “Jets coalition”.
