Why Ukraine wants Australia’s retired F/A-18 Hornet jets
Ukraine is in talks with a Texas-based company to buy 41 retired F/A-18 Hornet jets from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), according to a report by ABC News. The deal, which is still pending approval from the United States, could boost Ukraine’s air force capabilities and send a message to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in the region. But what are the pros and cons of acquiring these old but serviceable fighters, and what are the geopolitical implications of the transfer?
What is the F/A-18 Hornet?
The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-role fighter aircraft that was developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in the late 1970s for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and can operate from aircraft carriers or land bases. It has a top speed of Mach 1.8 (about 2,200 km/h) and a combat radius of about 740 km. It can carry a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, bombs, rockets, and a 20 mm cannon.
The RAAF acquired 75 F/A-18A/B variants of the Hornet in 1985, and used them as its main combat aircraft until 2021, when they were replaced by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The RAAF has 41 decommissioned F/A-18s that are currently stored at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales. A Texas-based company, RAVN Aerospace, has paid a deposit to purchase the F/A-18s and is willing to sell them to Ukraine, but the deal requires approval from the U.S. government, as the jets have American intellectual property.
Why does Ukraine want the F/A-18s?
Ukraine is seeking to modernize its air force, which is mostly composed of Soviet-era aircraft, such as the MiG-29 and the Su-27. These jets are outdated, poorly maintained, and vulnerable to Russian air defenses. Ukraine has lost several aircraft to Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass region since 2014, and has faced frequent violations of its airspace by Russian fighters and bombers.
The F/A-18s would be a significant upgrade for Ukraine’s air force, as they are still capable and reliable aircraft that can perform a range of missions.
The F/A-18s would also send a strong signal of support from the West to Ukraine, and a message of deterrence to Russia. The deal would demonstrate that Ukraine is not isolated and has allies that are willing to help it defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The deal would also show that the U.S. is committed to strengthening its strategic partnership with Ukraine and supporting its aspirations to join NATO and the European Union.
What are the challenges and benefits of operating the F/A-18s?
The F/A-18s are not without challenges and drawbacks, however. The jets are not stealthy and would be vulnerable to modern air defenses, especially from Russia, which has deployed sophisticated systems such as the S-400 and the S-300 in the region. The jets also require a lot of maintenance and support, which Ukraine may not have. Ukraine would need to train its pilots and technicians, acquire spare parts and weapons, and build the necessary infrastructure to operate the F/A-18s. The cost and time of these activities could be prohibitive for Ukraine, which is facing economic and political difficulties.
The F/A-18s are also not the most advanced fighters available, and would not be able to match the performance of Russia’s latest jets, such as the Su-35 and the Su-57. The F/A-18s would be a good interim solution for Ukraine until it can acquire more modern fighters, such as the F-16 or the F-35, which are also being considered by the Ukrainian government. The F/A-18s would complement, not replace, Ukraine’s existing fleet of MiG-29s and Su-27s, which are still undergoing upgrades and repairs.
The F/A-18s would also have benefits for Australia and RAVN Aerospace, the parties involved in the deal. For Australia, the deal would be a good opportunity to dispose of its surplus aircraft and generate some revenue, as well as to foster good relations with Ukraine and the U.S. For RAVN Aerospace, the deal would be a good source of profit, as it could resell the jets at a higher price and secure maintenance contracts with Ukraine.
Conclusion
The potential transfer of 41 retired F/A-18 Hornet jets from Australia to Ukraine is a complex deal that involves multiple actors and interests, and has various advantages and disadvantages, as well as implications and consequences. The deal could boost Ukraine’s air force capabilities and send a message to Russia, but it could also pose challenges and risks for Ukraine. The deal is still pending approval from the U.S. government, which will have to weigh the pros and cons of the deal, and consider its impact on the security and stability of the region, as well as on its own interests and values. The deal is not a silver bullet that will solve the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but it could be a catalyst that will shape the future of the region and beyond.
