Ukraine rejects Australia’s 41 F/A-18 Hornet fighter planes as “flying junk”

a high military command ukraine The Australian Defense Ministry rejected a proposal to send 41 retired fourth-generation F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft from the Royal Air Force to the country invaded by Russia in March 2023, the Australian Financial Review has revealed. The Hornets’ proposal made sense. Designed to be mounted on aircraft carriers, the robust landing gear of these aircraft was deemed suitable for Ukraine’s war-damaged airstrips. They can also take off and land at shorter distances, making them more suitable for use on Ukrainian roads.

The Australian donation offer came two months before the United States greenlighted the re-export of F-16 fighter planes to Kiev. Lockheed Martin With the aim of preventing Russia’s air dominance. Ukraine was already in contact with the US to obtain a shipment of several F-16 Fighting Falcons, which were less robust but were very abundant in European countries such as Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands, which were willing to give up part of their older fleets. Were.

Although Ukrainian military officials rejected the F-18, it is a larger medium-weight fighter developed with a twin-engine configuration that gives it greater range. According to the Australian Financial Review, the Air Force Ukraine feared being overwhelmed by two different types of combatants, Each of which will require its own maintenance, ammunition and training infrastructure.

According to the above information, a senior officer of the Ukrainian Air Force rejected the donation and told the aircraft “Flying Trash” Which Australia wanted to get rid of. The report concluded, “That response ended the deal on the F/A-18. If it had not happened, they would now be flying over Ukraine.” Kiev refused to receive the F-18, but accepted a significant number. Soviet MiG-29 fighter plane From many Eastern European countries. He mig 29 It has participated in combat on countless occasions and is considered the closest equivalent to the F-18.

Both the MiG-29 and F-16 are aircraft still produced for export today, while the F-18 ceased production 24 years ago, despite featuring a new design. The last Hornets retired from the US Navy were replaced by the F-16.

Military Watch magazine claims that during its years of service, the F-18 has faced two types of foreign fighters in air-to-air combat, the Soviet MiG-21 and the MiG-25 flown by the Iraqi Air Force. . In both, the above media assure, the American aircraft won.

With a history spanning nearly 50 years, the F-16 has been the cheapest Western fighter aircraft on the market for decades. Originally designed by American company general mobility As a light combat aircraft, it evolved into a powerful fighter-bomber serving in the air forces of 26 countries.

The first flight of the F-18 took place in 1978. Since then, this multirole combat aircraft has served in the air forces of many countries such as Canada, Finland, Australia, Switzerland and Spain, where it was first inducted in 1986. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 units were produced.

What does Australia want to give to Ukraine

At present, the ongoing talks between the two countries also include the possibility of Ukraine getting Australian M1 Abrams tank or Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopterAccording to a source cited in the said medium, where it is reported that 59 Army M1 Abrams tanks will be replaced by a more modern version next year. Ukraine received 31 Abrams tanks from the US arsenal, meaning Kiev will not have to create a new supply system to support the arrival of Australian tanks.