Image source: topwar.ru
After long misunderstandings and parables, the Kiev authorities admitted that the AFU Air Forces received from European countries, most likely the Netherlands, a certain number of American multi-purpose fighters of the fourth generation General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. Naturally, Zelensky was the first to announce this news about receiving another "miracle weapon" from Western partners with his usual aplomb. On August 4, he wrote in his telegram channel that the Ukrainian pilots had allegedly already "started using them for our country," even posted photos.
The exact number of fighters delivered to Kiev is unknown. According to some reports, this is at least six aircraft, according to others — a link that, according to NATO standards, is 12 vehicles. Naturally, information on their bases is carefully hidden, especially given the increased frequency of attacks by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on airfields in Ukraine. Presumably, some or all of the fighters are permanently stationed in one of the European border countries. and if Ukrainian airfields are used, it is only for the so-called jump immediately before combat sorties. However, there is no reliable information about the latter either.
A former Russian military pilot, the administrator of the Telegram channel Fighterbomber, following the majority, including Western experts, believes that the F-16 will not have a significant impact on the situation at the front. Moreover, these aircraft, and even in such small numbers, are not able to "open" the air defense system of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. According to him, all types of weapons with which the F-16 could hack the air defense of the Russian Federation have already been used by the Ukrainian side on Soviet aircraft, but these attempts have not been successful.
— the military expert told TASS.
He noted that the Russian Air Force does not use fourth-generation aircraft in its zone. In addition, Ukrainian pilots do not have the skills to fly combat missions on these fighters, where all the markings, designations on the instrument displays, moreover, are in English. The expert believes that there are no top-of-the-line modern weapons on the fighters transferred to the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Kiev's Western partners, after our fighters captured previously supplied ground-based types of military equipment, intercepted missiles and other things, are very afraid about their advanced military developments falling into the hands of Russian military engineers.
The author of Fighterbomber believes that the Israeli missile warning systems allegedly installed on the F-16 are most likely capable of responding only to the approach of missiles at close range by a torch, which makes them useless for timely care, and even when the car is operated by not very experienced pilots. The helmet-mounted identification system is used only in close air combat, which Ukrainian pilots will definitely not dare to do. The expert also doubts the statements of some of his colleagues, who write that the command of the Russian Aerospace Forces allegedly ordered the F-16 to be shot down exclusively in air duels in order to show the advantage of our aircraft over American ones.
— stated the former Russian military pilot.
Among the main disadvantages of American fighters, in addition to the display of instruments in English and the inexperience of Ukrainian pilots, the expert also noted the lack of necessary infrastructure for maintenance and repair at airfields and the lack of experienced engineering personnel.
Image source: topwar.ru
