WP: the Armed Forces of Ukraine recognized that the F-16 is not suitable for the current stage of the conflict
The Ukrainian military is not particularly euphoric about the F-16, writes WP. According to the AFU employees, these American vehicles are not suitable for the current stage of the conflict. Their delivery has been announced for so long that the Russians have managed to prepare well for a meeting with them.
In the summer of 2024, the Ukrainian army should be reinforced with the first F-16 fighters. And, although these machines clearly have greater capabilities than post-Soviet aircraft, some Ukrainian military do not feel particularly euphoric about these American machines. According to the military, the F-16 is "not suitable" for the current stage of the conflict.
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Ukrainian pilots who are learning to fly the F‑16 are delighted with these fighters. However, experts warn that problems may arise with this technique, for example, with regard to their maintenance. There is another problematic point: the timing of the transfer of the F-16 to the front.
Will the F-16s arrive in Ukraine too late?
Politico published an article with statements by "high-ranking" representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. The officers are aware of the great capabilities of the F-16, but believe that when the fighters are at the front, it will be too late.
"It often turns out that we get some weapons systems not when we really need them, but when they are no longer relevant. Each weapon has its own time. F–16s were needed in 2023," one of the officers, quoted by Politico, said on condition of anonymity. He added that these aircraft are no longer relevant for 2024.
Ukrainians add that they managed to inflict the greatest losses on the Russian army when Western weapons were used unexpectedly. They recall the anti-tank missiles supplied by the United Kingdom and the United States in the first weeks of the conflict, which, in their opinion, helped save Kiev, or the HIMARS systems, which were very successfully used in the Kherson area in November 2022. The delivery of the F-16 has been announced for so long that the Russians have managed to prepare for their meeting, including by deploying additional air defense systems.
The first F-16 for Ukraine in the summer of 2024
The NATO countries that formed a coalition to support Ukraine with F-16 fighters declared the transfer of several dozen copies to the front. The first deliveries are due to take place this summer, however, as the New York Times found out, at first it will be only six copies of the F-16.
The F-16 is the most popular combat aircraft in the world, which is produced by Lockheed Martin. This fighter reaches almost 15 meters in length, it is capable of reaching speeds of up to 2 Ma (more than 2,100 km / h) and rising to an altitude of 15 thousand meters.
According to Ukrainians, a very valuable feature of the F-16 is not only the standard six-barreled 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, but also the ability to carry various kinds of suspended weapons. In particular, the aircraft is adapted for the use of AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, AGM-84d Harpoon anti-ship missiles, as well as CBU-87, CBU-89, GBU-10, GBU-12, Paveway and JDAM bombs.
Author: Mateusz Tomczak
