F-16 fighters do not change the situation of Ukraine on the fornt line – the media reports

In the coming weeks The first F-16 fighters are to scope Ukraine, but both Ukrainian and Western officials inform that their WpThe hunt for war will not be immediate. According to Washington Post, the main reason is the solid air defence of Russia.

Journal Washington Post notes that Ukraine will receive only a tiny number of F-16 fighters, while Russia has many air defence systems capable of shooting them down. This means that the first F-16 will most likely be utilized to strengthen air defence Ukraine by shooting down air targets, not attacking Russian targets.

Location and supply scale

By Washington Post it is improbable that the fighters will be deployed close to the front line, at least at the beginning. The average stresses that it is not known whether they will be able to halt enemy aircraft entering Ukraine's airspace. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Norway have undertaken to deliver Ukraine 80 F-16 aircraft, but most of them will not scope Ukraine for years. Officials to whom he refers Washington Post, they did not want to give the exact number of aircraft that Kiev will receive this year, but it would surely not be more than 1 squadron – about 20 aircraft.

Equipment and training

One of the key elements discussed by Washington Post is the fact that the Ukrainian F-16 will be equipped with advanced air-to-air rockets mid-range AIM-120. The same rockets are besides utilized by NASAMS ground-based air defence systems. Unfortunately, Ukraine has besides fewer of these missiles, which will force it to share them between F-16 and NASAMS. Additionally, all Ukrainian military airports are within scope of Russian missiles, which poses a major challenge for their protection on the ground.

Washington Post Recalls that radar F-16 can detect targets about 125 miles away, making them safer as pilots do not gotta approach enemy aircraft so much.

Opinions of experts and officials

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenski has repeatedly stressed that Ukraine needs over 100 F-16 aircraft to fight Russia's immense air force and called the number of fighters that Ukraine will receive, "insufficient".

Becca Wasser, an analyst at Center for a fresh American Security, stated that the F-16 could be the most effective as a intellectual and moral incentive for Ukrainians and a deterrent for Russian conscripts. However, it can satisfy urgent needs by shooting down enemy aircraft and attacking ground targets.

Preparations of Russia

Washington Postquotes a highly placed Ukrainian military authoritative who reported that Russia is preparing for the arrival of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. The diary besides points to a tiny number of Ukrainian Air Force pilots trained on F-16.

Summary

Although F-16 supplies to Ukraine are awaited and can bring any benefits, their impact on the course of war may be limited due to Russia's advanced air defence systems and logistical and operational challenges. Strengthening Ukrainian air defence and providing morale may prove crucial in the short term, but full usage of the possible of F-16 requires time, resources and adequate global support.

Daniel Głogowski

Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.