Ukrainian military capabilities are limited. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have no air force and are based in a small number of facilities. These systems are not combat-capable and are not capable of defending their country against an air or missile attack from Russia. The National Guard of Ukraine is the main reserve component of the Ukrainian armed forces. The military of other states also participates in multinational military exercises with the Ukrainian forces on a regular basis. Many of these exercises are part of the Partnership for Peace co-operation program between the US and the NATO member states.
The Ukrainian army also has a large number of tanks, which is unusual for a country its size. Its arsenal of armored vehicles is second only to Russia, and there are several new weapons systems under development for this country. Its air force is not quite as advanced as its navy. Ukraine’s planes are over 30 years old, and the majority of them are not capable of taking off and landing safely.
Ukraine has modern armed forces that are expected to double in size by 2015. The military has more than 200 aircraft and helicopters, and all medical workers are eligible to be called up in national emergencies. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for its internal troops and has recently reformed Felidae-named formations. In addition, all of the medical institutions have become militarized, and all cadets must pass a rigorous military training program to receive the necessary skills and experience.
Ukraine has a weak air force. While it may have a few thousand combat troops, only 6,000 of those are fully ready for war. In addition, much of the high-end equipment that Ukraine possessed were sold to foreign countries. The annexation of Crimea also severely affected the Ukrainian navy. It lost most of its bases, two-thirds of its ships, and seventy percent of its personnel. The country relied heavily on civilians to provide its front-line soldiers, and volunteer battalions played a vital role.
The 2016 Strategic Defense Bulletin outlined priorities in NATO and the State Program for the Development of the Armed Forces identified implementation steps. The 2016 Law on National Security of Ukraine furthered the reform process by implementing a civilian-controlled system to develop its armed forces. As a result, the Ukrainian military has evolved and continues to evolve.
A new law in Ukraine created a new reserve force based on NATO standards. The law came into effect on January 1, 2022, and the 140th Special Operations Forces Center is currently undergoing certification and is slated to deploy as part of the NATO Response Force. With this new unit, Ukraine plans to build up its military capability. A significant portion of its population is reservists, and one million of its population is full-time.
During the recent presidential elections, the Ukrainian government announced that it would buy new anti-tank missiles from the US. The country’s domestic defense industry is very sophisticated, and a state-owned defense conglomerate known as Ukroboronprom has been producing these missiles for the Ukrainian military for the last decade. The Russian Armed Forces have also signed a deal with Turkey for an unknown number of Ada-class corvettes.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the main deterrent against foreign aggression. They are commanded by the President of Ukraine and are under the oversight of the permanent Verkhovna Rada parliamentary commission. The Armed Forces are the mainstay of the Ukrainian military. Its personnel must be trained to be a capable fighters. Despite the low level of military training, the soldiers should be able to perform missions efficiently.
Ukraine has more modernized its military than most other countries in Europe. Russia has sent more weapons to Ukraine. The 41st Combined Arms Army has more than 1,320 warplanes and 470 attack helicopters. The 1st Tank Army has over a thousand tanks, which are equipped for both land and air defense. The 41st Combined Arms and the 1st tank army are two examples of Ukrainian armory.
