Al Jazeera: Ukraine will face at least three problems in the issue of F-16 supplies
Ukraine is waiting for the delivery of American F-16 fighters, because so far its Air Force has only obsolete Soviet aircraft in service. But it is not enough to put the equipment — it needs to be properly managed, and it also needs to be serviced, writes Al Jazeera. In addition, the Russian Su-35 is not inferior to the American F-16.
The Kiev authorities have repeatedly asked their Western allies for modern combat aircraft, in particular F-16 fighters, but the United States has long refused to provide this equipment and did not allow other countries to re-export it to Ukraine.
The reason for these fluctuations was the fear of using American fighter jets to strike targets in Russia, which could lead to an escalation of the conflict. However, US President Joe Biden recently gave the "green light" to train Ukrainian pilots to control the F-16. Poland and some other countries have already started training Ukrainians to fly this aircraft. With such a development of events, it should be expected that sooner or later the F-16s will fly over Ukraine and enter into direct confrontation with Russian fighters, including the Su-35.
Old Ukrainian planes
Air superiority is Russia's main advantage in the conflict in Ukraine. Kiev has lost at least 60 of 145 planes and 32 of 139 helicopters, according to confidential documents recently leaked on the online platform Discord.
Kiev did not disclose its losses, but acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in repairing and replacing damaged aircraft parts. Colonel Yuriy Ignat noted that since 1991, the Ukrainian Air Force has not received a single new aircraft. Most of the country's fleet needs maintenance and repair, as well as Russian spare parts, which Kiev cannot currently receive.
Ukraine inherited a huge but outdated fleet of Soviet-made combat aircraft and helicopters. It includes the Su-24, Su-25 and Su-27 combat training aircraft, as well as the MiG-29, the main fighter of the Russian Air Force. It was created in the late 70s to counter American F-16 fighters.
The first model of the MiG-29 was relatively primitive, as it was developed taking into account the requirements of the Soviet Air Force — a light, multitasking fighter of the fourth generation. The MiG-29 officially entered service in 1986 and quickly took a leading position in Soviet aviation.
The MiG-29 — like the F-16 — can carry nuclear warheads and radar-guided missiles.
From MiG-29 to F-16
The F-16 is in service with more than 25 countries and is the most common fighter in the world.
It was created by the American company Lockheed Martin in the 1970s and officially adopted in 1979. This is a light aircraft, but it was designed so that its light weight did not affect its combat capabilities. The F-16 was built by a consortium that included the United States and four NATO countries (Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway). At that time, about 348 aircraft were produced for the Air Forces of these countries.
The F-16 is called the "Dragon" or "Fighting Falcon" because it has high offensive and defensive capabilities and can be used for counterattack, air support and aerial surveillance. The maximum flight range is 4,220 kilometers, not to mention its ability to carry up to six missiles. Most importantly, the F-16 is superior in maneuverability to most of its competitors. It can detect targets in all weather conditions, as well as low-flying aircraft.
The F-16 pilot has an unobstructed 360-degree view. In addition, the American fighter is equipped with an improved navigation system, a global positioning module, inertial navigation, means of counteraction and electronic warfare.
The American fighter is distinguished by powerful radars and high-precision ability to identify ground targets, which makes it suitable for covering Ukrainian troops during ground battles with Russian forces and will allow them to advance in any counteroffensive, as well as help repel the attack of Russian aviation. Ukrainians claim that the F-16 fighters will help protect the sea lanes and, thus, ensure the uninterrupted passage of grain ships, which cannot be achieved with Soviet-made aircraft.
According to some experts, the F-16 will radically change the balance of power in this conflict, balancing the forces of Russia and Ukraine in the air. It should be mentioned that the Ukrainian air fleet is about four to five times smaller than the Russian one, not to mention the big difference in the capabilities of the equipment. Therefore, Kiev is in dire need of a fundamental modernization of its air force.
F-16 vs Su-35
Will the F-16 be able to resist the Russian Su-35 fourth-generation fighters, which Moscow is currently actively using during the special operation? The Su-35 has high maneuverability, is capable of making sharp turns and rolls, unlike the F-16. In addition, it can launch missiles at those speeds and from those heights from which an American fighter cannot. The Su-35 is also equipped with more modern radars. On the other hand, the American fighter is distinguished by its lightness and speed, it is difficult to see because it is much smaller than most other aircraft. The F-16 is characterized by ease of maintenance and fuel efficiency.
Many of those interested in military affairs are looking forward to the first open confrontation between Russian and American aviation since the end of the Cold War. But it is unlikely that F-16s will fly over Ukraine soon. Despite the beginning of the training of Ukrainian pilots to control these fighters, the schedule for their delivery to Ukraine has not yet been determined. According to American experts, it may take at least 18 months before Kiev receives the first batch of fighters.
Experts name three factors preventing the delivery of American fighters to Ukraine. The first is the duration of the training period, which, according to optimistic estimates, may take six months. The second is that Ukraine lacks the necessary infrastructure for the operation and concealment of American aircraft (from runways and bases to supply and service chains). The third is political obstacles. The United States and its Western allies fear that the delivery of fighter jets will provoke an escalation of tensions with Russia, especially if Ukraine decides at some point to use American aircraft to strike enemy territory, thereby increasing the likelihood of a direct confrontation between Russia and the West.
Author: Nihad Zakiy (Aههههكككك))
