In August, the US approved deploying F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine, as soon as pilot training has been completed, to help it defend against the Russian military.
Ukraine, which has recently launched its counteroffensive against Russian forces, has repeatedly requested F-16 fighter jets manufactured in the US to help counter Russian air supremacy.
Earlier, Denmark and the Netherlands had requested that the US approve such assurances to transfer military planes from its allies to Ukraine.
NATO nations, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, have led international efforts to train pilots and support personnel, maintain aircraft, and ultimately enable Ukraine to obtain F-16s for its fight against Russia.
Following the clearance of F-16 fighter planes for Ukraine, the US Department of Defence announced in August that a training programme would begin in Arizona in October.
US Approves Transfer Of Dutch, Danish F-16 Fighter Jets To Ukraine https://t.co/AiuN6r5JEw pic.twitter.com/EOCOtOsOq2
— NDTV (@ndtv) August 18, 2023
What are F-16s?
The F-16, often known as the Fighting Falcon, is a single-seat, single-engine jet fighter produced by Lockheed Martin Corporation for the US and other allied nations. As per reports, it is highly manoeuvrable and has demonstrated its capabilities in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface strikes.
It is one of the most versatile aircraft in the US Air Force weaponry and has been an integral part of the US aerial combat force. With over 1,000 F-16s in service, the aircraft has been modified to perform various operations such as air-to-air combat, ground attack, and electronic warfare.
Reports reveal that F-16s can identify low-flying aircraft amid radar ground clutter and find targets in every weather situation. Moreover, its all-weather capabilities enable it to deliver explosives precisely amid non-visual bombing conditions.
#Ukraine may start using F-16 jets in the spring of 2024
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 28, 2023
By this time, pilots, engineers and technicians will be trained, and the necessary infrastructure will be prepared. This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov. pic.twitter.com/zRnomZAQf4
Benefits of the Fighter Jets
Reports indicate that the F-16 is a multi-purpose fighter jet that may be deployed as a tactical bomber, air defence unit, and even a specialised electronic warfare aircraft in addition to its primary air combat mission. As a result, the F-16 integrates the capability of all key Soviet aircraft currently in service with the Ukrainian Air Force.
The F-16s will be superior to Ukraine’s older planes. The F-16s, with their more powerful radars and improved jamming resistance, will detect Russian aircraft at greater distances, allowing Ukrainian pilots to stay further beyond the range of front-line Russian air defences.
Furthermore, reports explain that these F-16s could be equipped with Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) with comparable, if not greater, capabilities than the Russian R-77.
How Will F-16s Change the Course of the Ukraine War?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has referred to the contribution of the jets as a “breakthrough agreement,” and said the aircraft would help Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian soldiers by strengthening its air defences.
Experts say that using F-16 fighter planes in the Ukraine War can impede Russian strikes, assist Ukrainian forces in intercepting Russian jets, and help reinforce Ukraine’s air supremacy. Reports indicate that Ukrainian troops using such fighter planes could potentially change the course of the war.
According to Léo Péria-Peigné, a researcher at the Institute for International Relations Centre for Security Studies (IFRI), the F-16s can be used by Ukraine in three ways: “For ground support,” he explains, “To attack the Russians who are attacking; or to support a Ukrainian attack in order to intercept fighter aircraft that might come into Ukrainian airspace,” he added.
Gareth Jennings, an aviation editor at British Private Intelligence, stated that F16s equipped with modern Western systems will not only replenish the Ukrainian Air Force’s “critically depleted inventory,” but also help Kyiv “narrow the capability gap with the more advanced Russian aircraft.”
F-16s might help Ukraine achieve what military strategists call “air superiority.” Reports imply that Ukrainian forces could prevent Russian planes and helicopters from attacking Ukrainian ground soldiers.
Ukrainian military pilots will learn to fly F-16 fighters in Denmark for 4-6 months, while in the UK the training period will take 1-2 years.
— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) August 31, 2023
Yuriy Ignat, the representative of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, announced this on the air of the telethon.
He explained… pic.twitter.com/eyy39i0Zam
Challenges to Deploying F-16s
According to sources, the multi-role capabilities of F-16s can benefit Ukrainian troops in the war, but Ukraine will face some problems while deploying such aircraft. Experts indicate that F-16 planes require new training and logistics, such as supply chains, maintenance procedures, and infrastructure.
Training programmes for the first groups of Ukrainian pilots are beginning in Denmark, Romania, and the US. As per reports, in a few cases, wherein pilots have no prior experience flying Western combat planes, the training will take longer than three to four months.
Despite its effectiveness, the F-16 requires far more maintenance than the typical Soviet-era fighter, which would be just as difficult for the Ukrainians to handle as operating the aircraft; F-16s require 16 hours of maintenance for every flight hour.
Further, F-16s require smooth runways and generally centralised locations to operate from, as opposed to the dispersed airfields and temporary runways that Ukraine’s present fleet might use.
Former British military commander Frank Ledwidge pointed out that these locations may become a “prime target” for Russian strikes. Additionally, this might imply operating from locations well-known to Russian troops, which “makes them extremely vulnerable to attack on the ground,” experts noted.
Another immediate barrier to deploying the F-16s is a lack of competent English-speaking Ukrainian pilots and support staff to operate and maintain them.
Conclusion
It is reported that the Ukrainian Army is pushing its way through vast Russian defensive barriers in the south as part of the counteroffensive strategy, which has seen a lot of fighting for little movement.
Thus, in the long run, adding several dozen versatile, competent planes may benefit Ukraine, and allow it to take the initiative, conduct air attacks, and assist group advances.
Analysts believe Ukraine would use the initial F-16s in several defensive and offensive combat missions as soon as the pilots are certified to fly.