The Availability of the European Union’s Strategic Airlift Resources: The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War
Vol 11 No 1 (2025), Articles
Vol 11 No 1 (2025)

The Availability of the European Union’s Strategic Airlift Resources: The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War

Articles
https://doi.org/10.37105/sd.245
Published September 2, 2025
Mirosław Jemielniak
Silesian University of Technology, Katowice, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8908-2281
Eugeniusz Piechoczek
Silesian University of Technology, Katowice, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7507-7788
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Keywords

air transport
Russian-Ukrainian war
Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC)
Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS)

How to Cite

Jemielniak, M., & Piechoczek, E. (2025). The Availability of the European Union’s Strategic Airlift Resources: The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War. Safety & Defense, 11(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.37105/sd.245
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Abstract

This article analyzes the availability and significance of strategic airlift within the European Union (EU) in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which has underscored the need to ensure military mobility and transport independence for European states. This conflict has had a considerable impact on the availability of heavy transport aircraft, such as the Antonov An-124 and the Ilyushin Il-76, previously used by EU and NATO member states. The study discusses the influence of warfare and sanctions on Europe’s transport resources, as well as initiatives aimed at providing alternative logistical solutions, including the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) and the Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS). The findings indicate new logistical challenges arising from the current geopolitical situation, which may require the development and implementation of more independent European transport capabilities.

https://doi.org/10.37105/sd.245
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