(Dan Tri) – The F-16 is an American air superiority fighter that Ukraine has called for aid since Russia began its special military campaign.
Ukraine is in dire need of F-16 fighters to change the game (Photo: Sky News).
The F-16 is a multi-role jet fighter that has participated in dozens of wars and is used by more than 20 countries.
It will improve the Ukrainian Air Force’s ability to support ground forces and intercept Russian bombers before they can attack military or civilian targets.
In August 2023, Washington `gave the green light` for allies to provide F-16s to Ukraine.
The exact amount that will be delivered has not yet been determined.
Quickly build the foundation
There are 3 separate programs for pilots at different levels.
At the same time, Ukraine’s team of ground technicians is also learning how to maintain aircraft.
The F-16 requires specialized infrastructure and logistics.
`Airports must be protected from air strikes, which means it is necessary to deploy air defense systems,` Viktor Kevliuk, an expert at the Ukrainian Defense Strategic Center, told Kyiv Independent.
`Allies should also provide us with air-to-air missiles to fight because Soviet missiles are not suitable for this aircraft,` he added.
Although considered a modern aircraft, the F-16 first entered production in the late 1970s. Ukraine is trying to persuade partners to install more modern weapons and avionics systems on the aircraft.
The jets will need a lot of spare parts, but in this regard, Ukraine will certainly not have to worry much because the US has committed to providing them fully.
US Air Force F-16 fighters performed an epic `elephant walk` performance at Spangdahlem airport base in Germany on October 1, 2019 (Photo: US Airforce).
Estimated delivery time
The first batch of aircraft may come from the Netherlands.
Denmark has committed to delivering six aircraft by the end of 2023, but the delivery date is said to have been pushed back six months.
Danish and Dutch officials said the delivery schedule depends on the readiness of Ukraine’s infrastructure and pilots, among other factors.
Belgium’s Defense Minister has promised to deliver several aircraft by 2025. According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Norway plans to send between five and 10 F-16s, but the total number and delivery schedule
Experts told Kyiv Independent that Ukraine will likely put at least some F-16s into service by late spring or early summer.
Is the F-16 worthy of a `game changer`?
Experts say that the F-16 will give Ukraine important capabilities that the country does not currently have.
`With some careful planning… I think it’s possible that at least in the early stages, before the Russians understand what’s going on, Ukraine could shoot down a Russian military aircraft by sending an F-16 to
The AMRAAM air-to-air missile has a longer range than the weapons equipped on Ukraine’s MiG-29 aircraft.
Expert Kevliuk noted that Ukrainian and Russian fighter jets have rarely participated in air combat over the past year because both sides were trying to preserve them.
Russian aircraft mainly attack targets on the ground.
`With Russia targeting Ukrainian cities, there is a real danger that Ukraine’s air defense complexes could run out of missiles trying to fight back every salvo of drones and missiles
`To avoid a bad outcome, Ukraine needs to be more selective in fighting back these Russian attacks, or need to add more missiles to prevent these attacks. The F-16 has the potential to be useful in this role.`
According to Mr. Layton, to attack, the F-16 can also attack targets on the ground, helping Ukraine `open the way` into Russian-held areas by dropping high-explosive bombs, although this will
To facilitate the F-16’s `scoring`, she said that Ukraine needs to prevent or destroy Russian air defense complexes, such as S-400 missiles.
Expert Grieco said: `Ukrainian pilots flying F-16s, equipped with anti-radiation missiles, will have to risk operating within the S-400’s range to lure Russian combat crews into emitting radiation… Pham
In addition, Russia’s Su-30SM, Su-35 and MiG-31 fighters are also a significant threat to Ukraine’s F-16.
Moscow is said to be ready to fight the `game changer` F-16 by not only attacking airports but also testing new tactics, operating the A-50 airborne early warning warning aircraft.
Russia’s A-50 early warning and airborne command aircraft are escorted by MiG-31 fighters (Photo: Telegram).
Commenting on Newsweek, expert Frederik Mertens from the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (Netherlands) commented: `In my opinion, Russia’s deployment of the A-50 is Russia’s deliberate preparation for the appearance of the F.
He said that Russia seems to be trying to gain an advantage in the war in the sky by pushing the Ukrainian air force as far back as possible, `while causing as much attrition as possible before the arrival of
According to him, Russia seemed to hope to be able to attack the F-16 on the ground and in the air as soon as possible, so they dispatched the A-50 to fly closer to the front line to practice and prepare.
Last October, Russia announced that it had shot down `24 Ukrainian aircraft in 5 days`.
