Ukraine’s New Warplanes Are Ready: “We Have Surprises for Our Neighbors”

Ukraine has finished developing new aircraft and has already moved them into testing, according to the commander of the country’s aviation forces. “We have surprises for our neighbors,” the commander said, without giving further details on the models or capabilities of the new planes. The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to modernize its existing fleet. In a separate effort, Ukrainian crews have converted the 1970s-era Su-24 bomber into a launch platform for SCALP cruise missiles, a Western-supplied weapon. That retrofit has allowed older aircraft to carry modern long-range munitions, extending their combat reach. The new aircraft, now in testing, mark a further step in Ukraine’s push to rebuild its air force with domestic solutions amid ongoing conflict.