Ukrainian Naval Aviation

The Ukrainian Naval Aviation (Ukrainian: Морська Авіація, Morska Aviatsiya) is a component of the Ukrainian Navy.

Ukrainian Naval Aviation
Морська Авіація
FoundedApril 5, 1992
CountryUkraine
BranchNavy
TypeAviation
RoleFleet reconnaissance, patrolling coasts for enemy ships and submarines
Size2,500
Garrison/HQOchakiv Mykolaiv Oblast Ukraine
Commanders
ColonelOleh Zahurskyi
Insignia
Ukrainian Navy Ensign
Roundel
Fin flash
Aircraft flown
BomberBe-12
PatrolKa-27
TrainerAn-2
TransportAn-12, An-24, An-26, Mi-8, Mi-14PL, Ka-226

During the breakup of the Soviet Union, significant portions of the Soviet Naval Aviation were based in Ukraine, which were intended to support the Black Sea Fleet. These forces included the 2nd Guards Maritime Missile Aviation Division (Gvardeyskoye, Crimean Oblast), with three regiments of maritime attack Tu-22M2s (5th, 124th at Gvardeskoye, Crimean Oblast and the 943rd at Oktyabrskoye?), and the 30th independent Maritime Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment (Saki-Novofedorovka, Crimean Oblast) of Tu-22Ps.[1]

In the second half of 1997, when Ukraine and Russia agreed on how to split the Black Sea Fleet, Ukraine received 12 planes and 30 helicopters.[2]

History
Ukrainian Navy Mi-14

Ukraine inherited large naval aviation units from the Soviet Union. These included large aircraft such as the Tupolev Tu-142 and Tupolev Tu-22M, however these were scrapped under the Budapest Memorandum. Fighters such as the Mig-29 were either decommissioned due to budgetary reasons or transferred to the air force. The remaining inventory included transport, attack, and anti-submarine warfare helicopters, as well as numerous transport aircraft. Ukraine's naval units, along with some aviation units participated in several deployments such as Operation Atlanta and Operation Ocean Shield.[3]

2014 Crimean crisis

During the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, Ukrainian naval aviation managed to get a number of its aircraft and helicopters airborne from its Novofedorivka airbase to fly to bases in mainland Ukraine on 5 March. This included one Kamov Ka-27PL and three Mil Mi-14PL maritime helicopters, and one Beriev Be-12 amphibian and two Antonov An-26 transports. More than a dozen aircraft and helicopters, which were undergoing maintenance, had to be left behind. The long-term sustainability of the Ukrainian Navy's surviving helicopters is uncertain after the pro-Russian administration in Crimea nationalised all state owned enterprises, including the Sevastopol Aviation Enterprise, which had provided long-term maintenance and overhaul of the service's helicopters.[4]

Organization

10th Naval Aviation Brigade

All naval aircraft in service are controlled by the 10th Naval Aviation Brigade in Mykolaiv.

  • 10th Naval Aviation Brigade, Mykolaiv
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
    • Air Squadron
    • Helicopter Squadron
    • Signal & Radio-technical Support Battalion
    • Airfield & Technical Support Battalion
    • Aviation Technical & Operational Engineering
    • Helicopter Technical & Operational Engineering
    • CSAR Company
    • Logistic Company
    • Meteorological Company
    • Engineer Platoon
    • Security Platoon

One Kamov Ka-27 helicopter is stationed on the Hetman Sahaidachnyi (a Krivak III-class frigate). The frigate can however carry a maximum of two helicopters.

Aircraft inventory
Ukrainian Ka-27PS on USS Taylor (FFG 50), 2010
Ukrainian Ka-27
An-26
Mi-8MSB
Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Maritime patrol
Beriev Be-12 Mail  Soviet Union Amphibious anti-submarine / patrol aircraft. Be-12 2 (stored operable) Previously 4, 2 captured by Russia. Aircraft 05 Yellow flown to Mykolaiv, Ukraine on March 5, 2014. Aircraft 02 Yellow flown to Mykolaiv from Crimea, 2014 after return by Russian forces. Slated for replacement. Operable but grounded due to lack of spare parts.[4]
Anti-submarine helicopter
Kamov Ka-27 Helix  Soviet Union anti-submarine/SAR Helicopter Ka-27PL/PS 3(active combat aircraft), 1 (inoperable) [5] Previously 5, 1 captured by Russia. One moved to Mykolaiv, Ukraine on March 5, 2014,[4] another was still embarked on the Hetman Sahaidachnyi frigate. Two returned by Russia, moved by rail to Mykolaiv in 2014 from Crimea. Helicopter 22 Yellow was restored to service 2015.
Mil Mi-14 Haze  Soviet Union Amphibious anti-submarine Helicopter Mi-14PL 4 (active combat aircraft)[5] Three flown to Mykolaiv, Ukraine on March 5, 2014.[4] All aircraft returned to service by 2018.
Assault helicopter
Mil Mi-8 Hip  Ukraine Multipurpose Helicopter Mi-8SB-B 2 (active combat aircraft)[[6] Two handed over to Navy in 2018 by MotorSich. Capable of carrying unguided and guided weapons.
Kamov Ka-29  Soviet Union Assault transport helicopter Ka-29 1(stored operable)[5] Previously 4, 3 captured by Russia.
Transport airplane and helicopter
Antonov An-26 Curl  Soviet Union Transport An-26 2 Both flown to Mykolaiv, Ukraine on March 5, 2014.[4]
Antonov An-2 Colt  Soviet Union Transport An-2 1 Returned to Ukraine by Russian Forces in 2014, flown to new base in Mykolaiv.
Kamov Ka-226  Russia Transport/SAR Helicopter Ka-226 1[7] Originally ordered by Ministry of Emergency Services but delivery rejected due to legal issues. Configured for SAR.

A An-24 cargo aircraft, and up to eight Mi-8 transport helicopters were also operated by the Ukrainian Navy prior to 2014. The An-24 Aircraft Blue 02 was retired sometime before 2009.

References
  1. «Aviation and Time". 1996, № 5, page 35, and Michael Holm, Red Banner Black Sea Fleet, accessed December 2012.
  2. Новини Управління Прес-служби МО Archived 2012-08-04 at Archive.today
  3. "Frigate "Hetman Sahaydachniy" joins EU's operation "Atlanta"". Eu.for. 3 Jan 2014. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014.
  4. Ripley, Tim. "Ukrainian navy decimated by Russian move into Crimea". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. IHS Jane's. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  5. Ukraine's Diminishing Air Force, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (6 October 2015)
  6. name=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/aviatsiya-vms-otrymala-mi-8msb/], Ukraine Military Portal (August 9th, 2019)
  7. Морська авіація отримала гелікоптер Ка-226//Ukrainian Military Pages, 25.05.18
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