Ukraine's aviation commander: new aircraft projects nearly finished and already in testing
Ukraine's aviation commander has said new aircraft development projects are essentially complete and already in testing, promising "surprises for our neighbors." Ukraine has previously converted the Soviet-era Su-24 bomber into a launcher for SCALP cruise missiles.
New projects nearing completion
Ukraine's aviation commander has stated that the country's new aircraft development projects are essentially finished and are currently undergoing testing. According to the commander, Ukraine has prepared "surprises for our neighbors," though no further details about the nature or type of the new equipment were disclosed.
A track record of upgrading existing aircraft
The statement comes as Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to adapt Soviet-era aviation equipment for new combat roles. Ukrainian air crews have rebuilt the 1970s-era Su-24 bomber, turning it into a launch platform for SCALP cruise missiles. This conversion allowed an aircraft designed decades ago during the Soviet period to gain modern strike capabilities.
This earlier experience with the Su-24 conversion is cited as an example of Ukraine's ability to creatively and quickly adapt available resources to wartime needs, which may hint at the kind of solutions the newly mentioned projects could involve. Specific timelines, the exact type of new equipment, or further technical details have not yet been made public.
