Two Ukrainian Air Force pilots, speaking to The War Zone and other media outlets, rejected the value of a proposed sale of MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles by the United States.
They also said that Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones had become virtually useless in the face of more powerful Russian air defenses.
They have also made it clear that they are more interested in any plan that brings them closer to flying more modern western fighter jets, such as the F-16.
Gray Eagle drones can really only be used “for reconnaissance” and “long distances” and “not for attack missions because for such missions you have to be closer [στον εχθρό]”, Said one of the pilots, referring to the current threats posed by Russia. “It’s a very capable platform… but for me it is very dangerous to use it only on the front line. “Afghanistan is not here.”
“My view is that I know the Russian air defense right now and knowing the range of missiles that the Gray Eagle carries, I give you [μια]
“There is a 90 percent chance that the MQ-1C will be shot down on the very first flight,” agreed the second Ukrainian pilot.
The two pilots said that the widespread threats now posed by the Russian air defense have already forced the army in Ukraine to dramatically reduce the use of armed TB2 Bayraktar unmanned aircraft.
“It was very useful and important in the early days, stopping convoys of Russian armored vehicles and troops heading for Kyiv, but now that the Russians have established good air defense, they are almost useless.”
Ukrainian Air Force officials have called for a training program to at least begin preparing Ukrainian pilots to fly some type of more modern Western fighter jet.
