24 Apr Fighter Jets and Air Superiority in the Ukraine War
A technical analysis of the role of fighter jets in the air superiority strategies of the war in Ukraine, with key data, examples, and expert insight.
The Role of Fighter Jets in Shaping the Air Superiority Battle in the Ukraine War
The war in Ukraine has brought back high-intensity conventional warfare to Europe, where the contest for air superiority is central. Fighter jets are not only tactical assets but also strategic tools. Their impact on the war’s dynamics reveals much about modern air combat, logistical challenges, and geopolitical choices as mentioned in War Wings Daily.
This article provides a detailed and technical analysis of the operational role of fighter jets in the Ukraine war. It explores how airframes such as the Sukhoi Su-27, MiG-29, and the Western-supplied F-16 shape battlefield dynamics. It addresses training cycles, maintenance constraints, and the performance gap between platforms. It also evaluates the limits of current air defence networks and how both sides adapt their aerial doctrines.
We will focus on verified data, comparative figures, and operational realities. The goal is to deliver grounded insight to professionals and analysts working in defence, aviation, and military strategy.
The Importance of Air Superiority in the War in Ukraine
A Central Strategic Objective
Air superiority is not a secondary issue in Ukraine. From the first weeks of the conflict in February 2022, the ability to control airspace has played a direct role in the effectiveness of ground operations, long-range strikes, and logistics. Yet neither Ukraine nor the Russian Federation has achieved full air dominance.
Ukraine has relied primarily on inherited Soviet-era airframes such as the MiG-29 and the Su-27. Both are fourth-generation fighter jets, introduced in the 1980s. Their avionics, radar, and weapons systems are outdated compared to modern platforms. Ukraine has upgraded some MiG-29s with NATO-compatible systems and Western-supplied AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles. Still, the performance limitations remain evident.
Russia, on the other hand, deploys a broader fleet including Su-35S, Su-34, and MiG-31. These aircraft are equipped with more advanced radar systems, R-77 active radar-guided missiles, and electronic warfare pods. However, Russian forces have not been able to convert their numerical and technological advantage into full control of the skies. One reason is the dense and mobile Ukrainian air defence network.
SAMs Over Fighters
The most decisive factor limiting fighter jet operations has been the widespread use of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Ukraine has used Soviet-made systems such as S-300 and Buk, complemented by Western-delivered NASAMS, IRIS-T SLM, and Patriot batteries. These systems create contested airspace, denying Russia the ability to conduct low- and mid-altitude strikes with impunity.
In return, Russia uses long-range missile systems like the S-400 to restrict Ukrainian air activity near the frontlines. This dynamic has created a situation of mutual denial rather than air dominance.
The result is a war where fighter jets operate at the margins. Their presence is more tactical than strategic. Air power is used in limited strikes, quick intercepts, and stand-off missile launches.
The Operational Performance of Fighter Jets in the Field
Fleet Composition and Maintenance Constraints
Ukraine’s air force has faced critical issues with aging airframes and limited spare parts. The MiG-29s and Su-27s were inherited from the Soviet Union and have seen decades of wear. Many aircraft have to be cannibalized to keep others operational. Moreover, radar systems and targeting pods are far behind modern standards.
Training pilots to NATO standards takes 6 to 9 months for basic combat readiness and over a year for mission-level proficiency. The first Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s are expected to be operational by mid to late 2024. But these aircraft must be stationed abroad for maintenance or risk being destroyed on the ground by Russian missile strikes. The cost of each F-16 Block 70 is around €60 million, not including operational costs, spare parts, and support infrastructure.
Russia’s aircraft are more modern in comparison. The Su-35S has thrust-vectoring engines and advanced avionics. However, Russia is also suffering attrition. Open-source intelligence suggests over 80 Russian fixed-wing aircraft have been downed or severely damaged since February 2022.
Adaptation and Tactical Use
Both sides have adapted their fighter jet usage to reduce exposure. Ukrainian pilots fly extremely low to evade radar, often below 50 meters above ground level. Russian aircraft stay outside Ukrainian SAM coverage, launching glide bombs and stand-off missiles from over 70 km away. This method, however, sacrifices precision and increases collateral damage.
Fighter jets have also been deployed for reconnaissance and electronic warfare. Russia uses MiG-31s equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, while Ukraine has used MiG-29s to launch HARM missiles against radar installations.
But air-to-air combat remains rare. The few confirmed dogfights have been limited to beyond-visual-range missile exchanges, with no consistent kill ratio favoring one side. The skies above Ukraine remain contested, not controlled.
The Future Role of Fighter Jets in the Ukraine War
Western Jet Deliveries and Strategic Impact
The planned delivery of F-16s to Ukraine from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium is a major development. These jets, compatible with AMRAAM missiles, advanced radar, and Link 16 data networks, will offer a qualitative jump. However, their effect will be limited by how many are operational at any time and whether Ukraine can protect them from airfield strikes.
The real question is whether Ukraine can integrate these jets into a broader command-and-control system that coordinates SAMs, drones, and manned aircraft. Without this, the F-16s may serve only as symbolic assets.
Moreover, logistics remain fragile. Fuel, maintenance crews, parts, and shelters all need to be NATO-compatible. Without consistent technical support, the impact of new fighter jets will be marginal.
Russian Countermeasures and Long-Term Trends
Russia is likely to respond with intensified use of electronic warfare, GPS jamming, and anti-runway missiles. It may accelerate the production of long-range munitions and launch more aggressive sorties from airbases in Kursk, Voronezh, or Belarus.
The war in Ukraine has also highlighted the rising role of drones and loitering munitions. These low-cost assets increasingly replace manned platforms in reconnaissance and tactical strike missions. Yet, for high-speed interception, high-altitude bombing, or deep-penetration missions, fighter jets still have a role.
The next phase of air warfare in Ukraine will likely involve a hybrid model where drones, SAMs, and jets coexist. Victory in the air will go not to the side with the most aircraft, but the one with the most adaptive doctrine, networked systems, and protected logistics.