Ukrainian Air Force

The Ukrainian Air Force (Ukrainian: Повітряні сили Збройних сил України, romanized: Povitryani syly Zbroynykh syl Ukrayiny, lit.'Air Forces of the Armed Forces [of] Ukraine', PS ZSU) is the air force of Ukraine and one of the eight branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU). Its current form was created in 2004 by merging the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces into the Air Force.

When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, many aircraft were left in Ukrainian territory. After Ukrainian independence in 1991, the air force suffered from chronic under-investment, leading to the bulk of its inventory becoming mothballed or otherwise inoperable. However its domestic defense industry Ukroboronprom and its Antonov subsidiary are able to maintain its older aircraft.

The Ukrainian Air Force participated in the war in Donbas. Following the 2014 ceasefire, the air force was suspended from carrying out missions in the areas of Donbas. Since February 2022, the Air Force has been engaged in constant combat operations in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Air Force primarily flies Soviet-made aircraft, with an estimated 45 Mikoyan MiG-29 and 23 Sukhoi Su-27multirole combat aircraft. Since the invasion, Ukraine now operates 39 General Dynamics F-16s, and 6 Mirage 2000s, with the former supported by the F-16 training coalition. In the long term, Ukraine aims to procure Gripen and Rafale combat aircraft, supported by Saab 340 AEW&C. In air defense, the Air Force operates approximately 178 S-300 missile system units, and eight MIM-104 Patriot units.