Ukraine vs Russia is a battle of top ten arms exporters and will determine the best battle weapons for those with a limited budget

Russia was the 2nd largest arms exporter for the period 2008-2012, accounting for 26% of world deliveries and Ukraine was the 9th largest exporter with 2% of world deliveries.

Pro-russian forces with cheap missiles shot down an $11 million helicopter and killed 14 Ukrainians.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict could remain a long term action with Russian agents and supporters getting military supplies from Russia against the Ukrainian forces that are getting built up.

This would be a conflict of industrialized militaries mostly avoiding the use of heavy tanks and bombers by choice or tactic. However, the irregular units can have the best portable missiles that can be affordably used.

Unlike the United States war there are economic pressures that require the weapons and the conflict to be affordable. However, both sides are weapons makers and have the technology and manufacturing capability to innovate and adapt based on the conflict.

Ukraine is shifting to putting cheap and effective military systems at risk for close air support

The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia.

The Aero L39 can be purchased for about $200,000

Armament

Up to 284 kg (626 lb) of stores on two external hardpoints
2× wingtip fuel tanks

Maximum speed: 750 km/h (405 knots, 466 mph) at 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Range: 1,100 km (593 nmi, 683 mi)(internal fuel)

L-139 Albatros (About $500,000)
Revised version with western avionics and 17.99 kN (4,045 lbf) Garrett TFE731-4-1T engine. Single prototype built.

L-159 (costs $13 million)
Further modernised advanced trainer/combat aircraft with more modern, western avionics and Honeywell F124 engine

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