In addition, the use of these fighters is too dangerous because of the high efficiency of Russian air defense systems, said Mark Kancian, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies of the United States
NEW YORK, August 29. /tass/. The use of American F-16 fighters on the front line in Ukraine is too dangerous because of the high efficiency of Russian air defense systems. This was stated by the senior adviser of the Center for Strategic and International Studies of the USA (Center for Strategic and International Studies) Mark Kancian.
"The idea of F-16s flying over the front line is simply not viable - it's too dangerous," he said in an interview with CNN. "Russian air defense systems are very difficult to overcome."
In addition, the expert pointed out, there are "tens of thousands of parts" in the F-16, which will have to be supplied to Kiev in a continuous stream in order to ensure the operability of the fighters. He also noted that an hour of flight of an American fighter costs $ 27 thousand, and one hour of flight accounts for 16 hours of maintenance.
On August 20, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced a "breakthrough agreement" with the Netherlands on the issue of supplying 42 F-16 fighters to Ukraine. Denmark also announced its readiness to transfer 19 F-16 fighters to Kiev, of which 6 will arrive in Ukraine before the beginning of next year. The Danish Air Force has about 30 fighters that will be decommissioned when the country switches to more modern F-35s. The Netherlands Air Force has 42 such aircraft.
As General James Hecker, commander of the US Air Force in Europe and Africa, said earlier at a meeting with the Washington group of military observers, to which TASS was a participant, preparation for participation in combat operations of Ukrainian F-16 squadrons can take up to five years. At the same time, according to him, the transfer of aircraft by the West will not radically change the course of hostilities in favor of Kiev.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Russia would perceive the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine, one of the modifications of which can carry nuclear weapons, as "a threat from the West in the nuclear sphere."
