Page 10 - UKRRptSept21

the waterbomber An-32 were in the air, followed by the grand Illiyshyn Il-76, accompanied by jet fighters.
Tactical combat aviation was also represented by old-timers like the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-25 close air support aircraft, Sukhoi Su-24 bombers and Sukhoi Su-27, and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters.
A formation of MiGs painted the sky with blue and gold, the colours of Ukraine’s national banner. The spectacle was, however, tarnished by the knowledge that all those jets are all over 30 years old and have little prospect of being replaced anytime soon.
None of the Ukrainian aircraft on the parade was produced in independent Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Air Force command, the military air fleet will reach its operational limits over the coming decade and will need to be replaced.
One of the more leath new additions to Ukraine’s arsenal thanks to the increasing military cooperation between Ukraine and its Black Sea neighbour Turkey: the newest Bayraktar TB2 attack drones purchased from Ankara and recently accepted into service were rolled out during the parade. Turkey and Ukraine have reportedly signed an agreement whereby Ukraine will supply propulsion systems for advanced versions of the TB2, manufactured by Ukraine’s world class engine-maker Motor Sich. In addition, Ukraine may also be producing its own version of the TB2, under licence from Turkey. Azerbaijan used the Turkish-made TB2 to devastating effect in the recent war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, which are considered by analysts to be a game changer in the military balance of power in the region. Moreover, Turkey has promoted itself up the ranks of military powers as the producer of the TB2, as it can trade supply and production of the drones for geopolitical influence in the same way as Russia and the US use their arms as a tool of diplomacy.
This is the first time since the beginning of the conflict with Russia that Ukraine has independent control of a primary weapons system, one that has proved effective against both Russian armour and anti-aircraft radar systems in the recent conflicts in both Armenia and Syria.
The Slovakian Air Force also did a fly-by with their Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and Alenia C-27 Spartan transporter. The British Royal Air Force was present on the day with the Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. The UK has recently signed off on a billion dollar deal to upgrade Ukraine’s navy and supply it with several new frigates as well as modernise its Black Sea ports. The celebrations were attended by the UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace to underscore the tighter military ties between Ukraine and the UK. British naval forces had a run in with the Russian navy last month by sailing through waters claimed by Russia off the Crimea peninsula where the Russian navy fired warning shots across the bows of a UK frigate.
On land, modernised T-64B main battle tanks were visible as part of the
10 UKRAINE Country Report September 2021 www.intellinews.com