Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s tour of European capitals could convey Ukraine nearer to buying fighter jets. That would supply wings for freedom — and a useful updraft for defence corporations. They’re already benefiting from Ukraine-related orders: Saab, maker of the Gripen fighter jet, rose 10 per cent on accelerating gross sales steerage on Friday.

The Ukrainian president’s marketing campaign to accumulate jets faces a collection of obstacles. He’s nonetheless constructing the required western consensus. The US has to date mentioned no to the switch of broadly used F-16s, constructed by Lockheed Martin. The Eurofighter Hurricane, which the UK is excited about sending, has been developed by BAE in a consortium, so a nod from Italy, Spain and Germany is more likely to be required.

Operational difficulties abound — from the coaching required, to the logistics essential to run and keep a fleet, proper all the way down to the native terrain. Typhoons should not designed to be operated from brief or tough runways, as in Ukraine, in line with think-tank Royal United Companies Institute.

These difficulties is probably not insurmountable. Political purple traces on offering evermore refined gear to Ukraine have been liable to shifting. And it might be doable to function craft beneath lower than optimum situations — and even ship planes which are higher suited to the aim. Saab’s Gripen jets — particularly 80 older ones held by Sweden, the Czech Republic and Hungary — have been touted as a less expensive and extra agile possibility.

It’s not but clear whether or not Zelensky’s plea will succeed. If it does, it could present additional impetus to Europe’s rearmament supercycles. However not all of the plane despatched to Ukraine would want changing with newer fashions. Some is likely to be older planes, already slated for retirement. And jets are lengthy lead objects, taking a number of years from order to supply.

The train would nonetheless feed into the modernisation of Europe’s fighter jet fleets. This can be a long-term mission. Sash Tusa of Company companions estimates that European air forces might want to purchase as much as 350 extra fight plane over the approaching decade, on high of present orders. The possible price is as much as €50bn. Zelenskyy’s wings would speed up this course of.