Ukraine, Australia and the US are reported to be currently engaged in discussions regarding the potential transfer of up to 41 ex-Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)-operated Boeing F/A-18A/B Hornet multi-role fighters to Kyiv in a bid to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force’s (UkrAF’s) airpower capabilities as the nation’s war with Russia continues.
This initiative aims to help fulfil Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for more fighter jets to bolster the nation’s airpower capabilities and comes after Kyiv won long-sought approval from the US to acquire advanced fourth-generation combat aircraft, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, from second-hand sources. In light of this, Vasyl Myroshnychenko – the Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia – confirmed that an initial request has been made about the state and availability of up to 41 ex-RAAF legacy Hornets that are currently in storage at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, after the fleet was withdrawn from operational use on November 30, 2021.
Commenting on the matter to the Australian Financial Review, Myroshnychenko confirmed that there had been a “request for information” regarding the jets, adding that “Ukraine is looking at fighter jet capabilities, including this one.” While no formal request to acquire the fighters has been made by Kyiv, reports indicate that discussions into a proposed transfer to help bolster the war effort continue and that the US – which would have to approve the move due to the Hornet being American intellectual property – is in favour of gifting the decommissioned F/A-18A/Bs to Ukraine, if an official request is made.
After the RAAF retired its legacy Hornet fleet in November 2021, 18 Australian F/A-18As and associated spares were sold to the Royal Canadian Air Force to help supplement its ageing CF-188A/B fleet until it can be phased out and replaced by the F-35A Lightning II later in the decade. Meanwhile, Texas-based adversary air (ADAIR) contractor, RAVN Aerospace (previously known as Air USA), entered into an agreement to acquire up to 46 examples of the decommissioned fighters from Australia, which remain in storage at Williamtown (but in different states of airworthiness).
According to the Australian Broadcasting Company, sources close to the discussions said that RAVN Aerospace would be “willing to ‘on-sell’ the Hornets to Ukraine but first requires approval from the White House”. It is understood that if these legacy Hornets are not transferred to another operator in the near future, they will be scrapped. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to layout a new package of military support and aid for Ukraine in July, but it remains unlikely that supply of ex-RAAF legacy Hornets will be included in that announcement.
