Category: Militarnyi-usa my life

Some Ukrainian pilots are already undergoing flight training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.

Yurii Ihnat, Spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, reported on this.

These flights are conducted with instructors and are carried out on two-seater aircraft.

According to Ihnat, prior to getting into the F-16 cockpit, Ukrainian pilots flew light-engine aircraft, which helped pilots transition to a new type of fighter jet easier.

“Now, there are already flights with an instructor. Every day, the number of Ukrainian pilots who are trained and perform the tasks set by the instructor may increase,” Ihnat reported.

F-16BM of the Royal Danish Air Force during a training flight. Photo from the open sources

The next stage of Ukrainian training will include the transition to independent flights.

“And then, accordingly, flights for combat use to learn to fight on this aircraft,” Ihnat explained.

In addition to the pilots studying in Denmark, Ukrainians are also being trained in the United States and the United Kingdom, the Air Force spokesman said. Not only pilots, but also ground personnel, officers of the combat management and aviation engineering service are trained there.

Denmark, along with the Netherlands, leads a coalition of countries that train Ukrainian pilots and personnel. The countries pledged to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets free of charge.

In August, eight Ukrainian pilots began training on F-16 combat aircraft in Denmark. The training takes place at the air base in Skrydstrup, where the Danish Air Force’s fighter wing, consisting of the 727th and 730th squadrons, is stationed. Moreover, 65 personnel will be trained in maintaining and servicing the jets.

F-16AM fighter jets of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo from the open source

Denmark will supply Ukraine with 19 F-16 fighter jets. It is not yet announced which versions of the aircraft will be transferred. The first Danish combat aircraft are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2024.

In total, the Royal Danish Air Force has 30 F-16AMs and 11 BMs in service.

The German branch of the European company MBDA (MBDA Deutschland) has announced the restoration of DM-22 (PARM-2) anti-tank mine production and the start of production of Enforcer weapon systems.

This is stated on the company’s website.

The TDW GmbH subsidiary, owned by MBDA Deutschland, received a contract from the Bundeswehr to produce 2,600 DM-22 mines.

“This purchase order marks the return of the PARM to series production, making it the most powerful anti-tank guided mine available on the market,” Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director of MBDA Germany, said.

On November 6, Militarnyi reported that the Bundestag Budget Committee approved the purchase of these mines. The estimated cost of a mine is €27 thousand.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026. The framework agreement with the manufacturer includes an optional order for another 10,000 units.

DM-22 (PARM-2) mine. Photo credits: MBDA

The company’s management noted that this order will be an impetus for expanding mine production. The company is convinced that it will be able to meet the needs of Germany and other European countries for these weapons.

The company also announced that it is ready to launch the Enforcer anti-tank grenade launcher production, a contract for which was signed with the German Army in 2019.

The German Ministry of Defense has signed a framework agreement to supply 3,087 systems, with an initial order of 850 units with an estimated value of €76 million.

The ordered grenade launchers are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2024, and if the next contract is signed, the Bundeswehr is expected to receive a new batch by 2026.

Enforcer grenade launcher. Photo credits: MBDA

The Enforcer is a lightweight, portable anti-tank missile system that operates on a “fire and forget” basis. The missile has a launch range of 2 kilometers.

The missile weighs under 7 kilograms, and the entire system weighs 12 kilograms.

Like the NLAW, the Enforcer allows to fire from close quarters, which is a great advantage in modern warfare.

Germany announces a new military aid package for Ukraine, estimated at €1.3 billion.

Suspilne reported on this.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius presented the aid package after talks with Rustem Umierov in Kyiv.

Militarnyi previously reported on an unannounced visit of Pistorius to Ukraine for discussions with government representatives.

The main topics of the conversation are the training of Ukrainian soldiers and military assistance to Kyiv. In addition to political talks, the visit agenda attending a Ukrainian military training center.

The new package includes four IRIS T-SLM air defense systems, 20,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, and anti-tank mines.

IRIS-T air defense systems. September 2023. Photo credits: Diehl Defence

Pistorius added that the allocation of the new package signals that Germany is “steadfast and reliable” with Ukraine.

On November 14, Militarnyi reported that Germany had announced a large military aid package that included:

• 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks;
• 14 tracked all-terrain vehicles Bandvagn 206;
• 5 All Terrain Tracked Carrier Warthog Ambulances;
• 1,020 rounds of 155mm ammunition;
• 1 Wisent 1 mine clearing tanks;
• 10 Vector reconnaissance drones;
• 10 thousand safety glasses;
• 14 GO12 ground surveillance radars;
• 3 border protection vehicles;
• 4 8×8 HX81 truck tractor trains and 4 semi-trailers;
• 16 Zetros trucks;
• 13 MAN TGS trucks;
• 1.4 million rounds of firearm ammunition.

As previously reported, Germany plans to transfer two more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

German diplomat Martin Jäger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, announced this. He emphasized that three IRIS-T systems are currently deployed in Ukraine, and five are planned for the end of this year.

Leopard 1A5 tanks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. September 2023. Photo credits: ArmyInform

In October 2023, Germany handed over the IRIS-T SLM air defense system to Ukraine.

It was also reported that Germany’s Diehl Defense plans to significantly increase the production of IRIS-T air defense systems and missiles for them.

The Austrian government plans to order long-range air defense systems to bolster European air defense.

Defense News reported on this.

The decision follows Austria’s recent accession to the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, which aims to set up integrated and interoperable air defenses amid a full-scale war in Ukraine.

The country should decide on the purchase of a specific model of air defense system by 2025, with the contract to be signed in 2026.

Arrow-3 air defense system. Photo credits: IAI

According to the plan, the new systems will be part of the Austrian Armed Forces in 2027 and will provide NATO’s northern flank with additional capabilities.

During a November 16 conference in Vienna, the government decided to start looking for suitable systems on its own and not to join the German order for Arrow-3 systems.

The prime candidates are widely believed to be the American-made Patriot PAC-3MSE system or the American-Israeli Arrow 3.

In addition to long-range systems, Austria signed a contract to purchase the German IRIS-T short-range air defense system. The system will help set up a layered defense and provide new capabilities to the Austrian Armed Forces.

GDF anti-aircraft gun of the Austrian Armed Forces. Photo from the network

Until 1990, Austria was prohibited by its 1955 state treaty from possessing any weapons with a range greater than 30 kilometers. At present, Austria’s ground-based air defenses consist only of “shortest-range” systems, namely MISTRAL missiles and 35mm anti-aircraft cannons.

Militarnyi previously reported that Finland had purchased David’s Sling missile defense systems from Israel.

The deal, which is being called historic, is estimated to be worth about €317 million. According to the agreement, Israel will transfer Israeli-American missiles, launchers, and radars made in Israel to Finland.

The purchase consists of a main contract worth approximately €213 million and the immediate exercise of options related to the main contract for €103 million.

No other details of the deal and the number of systems were disclosed by either party.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine hit the clot of personnel of the 810th Separate Guards Brigade of the Marines of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.

This was announced by the commander of the “Magyar Birds” UAS company in his Telegram channel.

The commander called the incident retaliation for a Russian missile strike on the soldiers of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade during the awarding ceremony on the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It is reported that the Armed Forces repaid the Russian invasion troops with a massive missile strike on a clot of marines during a concert on the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery of the Russian Armed Forces, which is celebrated on November 19.

The Russians claim that the strike was carried out by five М30А1 rockets (Lethality Enhanced Ordnance, LEO) and М31 (high-explosive) of the GMLRS family.

Damaged buildings. Source: Google Earth

It is known that the concert was held in the club of the village of Kumachove, which is located in the Starobesheve district of the Donetsk region.

As a result of a precision missile strike, about 25 Russian soldiers were eliminated, and more than 100 were injured to varying degrees of severity.

In the Russian segment of the web, there is information about the death of the Russian actress Polina Menshikh, who was anchoring the awarding ceremony.

Official Russian sources confirmed the fact of the strike but didn’t mention in their reports the killed or wounded soldiers.

The Ukrainian analyst on Russian losses, Necro Mancer, published photos of the bodies of Russians on his Twitter (X).

Russian media have already published photos of the affected objects, judging by which one of the missiles penetrated the roof of the assembly hall of the club.

Damage to affected objects. Source: Mash

Recall that on November 7, Ukrainian artillery launched a missile attack on the Donetsk “Republican Center of Unmanned Aerial Systems DPR named after Vladimir Zhogi.”

The Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom has equipped 30,000 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel who have been trained in the UK.

DE&S reported on this.

The DE&S has supported 30,000 Ukrainian servicemen who took part in Operation Interflex to improve their training since June 2022.

DE&S teams sourced, procured, and supplied all the kit and equipment for Ukrainian recruits, as well as coordinated leadership and medical courses for the Ukrainians.

Slides with the amount of aid provided to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo credits: UK MoD

In addition, the Ministry of Defense has allocated an additional aid package, which includes:

• 82,000+ helmets;
• 25,000+ sets of winter clothing;
• 10,000+ sets of body armor;
• 70,000+ MREs.

As noted, this is the largest-scale exercise of foreign troops on the territory of the United Kingdom since World War II.

In addition to British instructors, professionals from other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Australia, and Romania joined the Operation Interflex.

The course is delivered over a minimum period of five weeks and includes weapons handling, battlefield first aid, Law of Armed Conflict training, patrol tactics and rural environment training, and basic knowledge of international law on the battlefield.

“I am incredibly proud of all the British and Ukrainian soldiers, sailors, airmen and women involved in this major undertaking – their dedication and professionalism today is ensuring peace for our continent in the future,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

These exercises will accelerate the qualification of the Armed Forces personnel and ensure rapid deployment of forces to the front.

Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during exercises in the UK. Photo credits: MoD UK

As Militarnyi previously reported, the Ukrainian servicemen have undergone training in Lithuania on the use of 120mm mortars.

The servicemen gained theoretical and practical skills, as well as practiced live fire at the training ground.

According to the published photos, the Ukrainians were mastering 120-mm Panzermörser self-propelled mortars on the chassis of the M113A2 tracked armored personnel carrier.

The main goal of this training course is to prepare 120 mm mortars to perform tasks in various combat conditions.

Ukraine has developed a powerful new warhead to equip drones.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries, announced this on his Telegram channel.

“Here is one of the Western-made attack drones that has proven itself well on the battlefield, but the military asked to make the combat unit more powerful,” Kamyshin wrote.

It is reported that the tests of the new warhead were successful: the explosion destroyed three armor plates placed one after the other. The first and second armor plates (50 mm and 16 mm thick, respectively) were completely destroyed, and the third one (16 mm thick) was dented.

Judging by the nature of the damage to the armor plates, the warhead has an impact core that will help the drone destroy targets protected by anti-drone nets.

“This is how joint productions are born,” the minister concluded.

Kamyshin did not specify which Western drone he was talking about. However, judging by the visual size of the warhead, it can be assumed that it is intended for UAV kamikazes of medium or light class.

The detailed characteristics of the new warhead were kept a secret.

Recently, Militarnyi reported that the new Ukrainian attack drone Backfire made at least 50 successful missions.

The UAV flies up to 35 kilometers behind enemy lines and helps to hit Russian artillery, logistics hubs, warehouses, and command posts.

Ukrainian Backfire drone. 2023. Ukraine. Photo credits: Mykhailo Fedorov

The drone is very resistant to electronic warfare systems thanks to a GPS antenna that is almost impossible to jam.

It was also reported that the Ukrainian military will receive long-range strike drones of a new model that will hit targets in the deep rear of Russia.

The Morok drone is designed for deep strikes on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Four Brigades of the Air Assault Forces received honorary names on the occasion of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Day.

The Office of the President announced this.

On November 21, celebrations were held to mark the professional day of Ukrainian paratroopers.

President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the soldiers and presented state awards.

Celebrations for the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Day, November 21, 2023. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

To recognize the high professionalism, military merit, courage, and bravery of the personnel of military units, Volodymyr Zelensky also awarded honorary names to the brigades of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• The 80th Air Assault Brigade received the honorary name “Halytska”;
• The 81st Airmobile Brigade will bear the honorary name “Slobozhanska”;
• The 95th Air Assault Brigade received the honorary name “Poliska”;
• The 79th Air Assault Brigade will bear the honorary name “Tavrian.”

“Today is the professional day of our Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is the day of tens of thousands of extremely strong soldiers, without whom it is simply impossible to imagine a reliable defense, who are always in very difficult areas of the front, and whose bravery is always of strategic importance for Ukraine. This is the bravery that affects not only a single battle for our country but the entire battle for our independence,” the President said.

Zelensky noted the high efficiency of the interaction of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces brigades with other units of the Defense and Security Forces to protect Ukraine and destroy the Russian invaders.

“Both in 2014 and after February 24, 2022, Ukrainian Air Assault soldiers are among the most combat-ready and effective in the Defense Forces,” the Head of State noted.

Illustration on the topic: Ukrainian Air Assault Forces. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine

He added that during the full-scale war with Russia, more than 10 thousand soldiers of the Air Assault Forces were awarded state awards.

The participants also observed a minute of silence to honor the feat of the Air Assault Forces servicemen who gave their lives for the sake of the Ukrainian state and people.

Ukrainian Air Assault Forces

Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a separate branch of troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intended for rapid deployment to cover (defend) certain directions (areas), conduct offensive (assault) actions, and conduct hostilities in the rear.

According to the functional purpose of the forces, military units and detachments of the assault and airborne components are distributed.

All 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks promised by the German government arrived in the Czech Republic.

This is partial compensation for military assistance that the Czech Republic provides to Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion.

The press service of the Czech military published the photo of combat vehicles on its social media.

The Czech Republic received fourteen Leopard 2A4 tanks and one Büffel armored recovery vehicle as a gift from Germany for its military support of Ukraine.

The deliveries are part of the German government’s Ringtausch circular exchange program, under which NATO member states provide Ukraine with Soviet-made heavy equipment in exchange for Western models.

Leopard 2A4 tanks of the Czech military. November 2022. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic

In May 2022, the heads of the defense ministries of the Czech Republic and Germany agreed on the free supply of 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to replace the Soviet-made T-72 tanks previously supplied by the Czech authorities to Ukraine.

The cost of armored vehicles is about 4 billion Czech crowns. These tanks were in service with Switzerland and Germany and were bought out by Rheinmetall.

Together with 14 tanks and one ARV, Germany transferred the initial package of spare parts and ammunition and will provide three years of service support from the supplier. The arrangement also provides for training for the Czech military.

Leopard 2A4 tank of the Czech military. December 2022. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic

The first tank passed military tests in the Czech Republic in late 2022. The trial consisted of 16 tests.

It is reported that the military checked the accuracy of firing from a gun, the passability of the tank, and the possibility of using rescue devices introduced in the Czech army.

Leopard 2A4 tank of the Czech military. April 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic

A second batch of Leopard 2A4 arrived in the Czech Republic in April.

The Büffel armored recovery vehicle will be transferred to the Czech military in mid-2024.

The Russian Aerospace Forces received a batch of new Su-34 fighter-bombers.

The Russian United Aircraft Corporation reported on this.

The aircraft were manufactured at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association Plant.

The exact number of the transferred aircraft has not been disclosed, but the amount is expected to be two fighter-bombers.

These aircraft are the third batch of modernized Su-34Ms delivered to the military of the aggressor country in 2023 and the sixth batch of modernized Su-34Ms ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2020.

Russian Su-34M fighter-bomber, November 2023. Photo credits: United Aircraft Corporation

The manufacturer claims that the aircraft has undergone a full range of ground and flight tests ahead of their delivery to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The first batch of Su-34Ms, consisting of two units, was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Forces in early June this year. The second batch was delivered in October.

In 2022, the Russian army received two batches of new fighter-bombers in the amount of two to four units each.

Russian Su-34M fighter-bomber, November 2023. Photo credits: United Aircraft Corporation

Su-34 fighter-bomber

The Su-34 is a Soviet/Russian all-weather two-seat fighter bomber. The aircraft is designed to carry out precise missile and bomb strikes on enemy ground targets in operational and tactical depth and to fight air targets.

The aircraft has a combat radius between 600 and 1,100 kilometers depending on the load. The payload is 8 tons, within which it can carry bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms or two 1,500 kg bombs.

The FAB-250M-62 bomb with installed guidance kit under the wing of the Russian Su-34M, Syria, October 2015

In addition to them, the aircraft is also armed with a 30mm GSh-30-1 autocannon. It has separate hardpoints for air-to-air missiles.

A Russian bomb with a UMPK kit under the wing of a Su-34 front-line bomber

Until 2023, gravity bombs were the bomber’s main means of defeating ground targets, but the standard weapons package was changed with the advent of gravity bombs with a guidance kit.