Ukraine plans to rebuild its air force on NATO’s model by 2035. Its Air Force already knows which fighter it wants next, and why

Ukraine is restructuring its air force to emulate NATO's organization and aircraft fleet, with the goal of having a fully reformed force by 2035. The new air force will feature modernized F-16s and potentially Swedish Gripen jets, as reported by Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat to Tse Baza. In the past month, Ukrainian fighters have encountered around 3,500 jet-powered targets, with F-16s playing a key role in intercepting Russian drones.

The central reform involves transitioning to NATO-style "wing" units, with the first step already accomplished: the establishment of the 107th F-16 wing, which has its own Facebook page and may share updates about its activities. Additionally, Ukraine aims to construct universal air bases at existing operational fields used during the war, which could accommodate various combat aircraft models, mirroring NATO's approach.

Currently, Ukraine's F-16 fleet consists of older Block 15 jets, which have been heavily used and require repairs, service life restoration, and upgrades. Ukrainian officials have discussed modernization with Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer, with an eye on the newer Block 70/72 version, which would give pilots greater confidence against Russian Su-35 fighters.

However, maintaining the current fleet has been challenging, with less than half of Ukraine's F-16s operational due to slow maintenance abroad. Ukraine is also considering acquiring Swedish Gripen fighters, which are favored for their lower operating costs and simpler maintenance. Ukrainian pilots have begun training on the Gripen, viewed as a suitable counter to Russian aircraft dropping guided glide bombs on the front lines.