F-16 is unlikely to significantly change the war in Ukraine: what are the features of their use-WP

Military observers believe that at first, Western fighters will perform tasks at a safe distance and act as a means of strengthening Ukrainian air defense. In the coming weeks, the first F-16 fighters should appear in Ukraine, but Ukrainian and Western officials warn that these planes, despite high expectations, will not have an immediate impact on the situation at the front.

This is due to a limited number of aircraft and a large number of Russian air defense systems capable of knocking them down. This is stated in The Washington Post. American observers say that the first F-16 will not be used to strike for terrestrial purposes and Russian troops near the front, but to strengthen Ukrainian air defense, knocking down air targets such as missiles, drones and planes.

Western fighters can also resist a very significant threat from Russian aviation, or more precisely, will attack the carriers of the Aviation Bombs with the UMPC, the use of which significantly undermines the defense capability of the defense units. Military experts say that the F-16 will help "to align the scales of Libra with Russia, which uses near air support" during the offensive of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air forces will receive no more than one squadron - about 20 aircraft - this year. At the same time, only six pilots will complete the study by the summer. This is why the number of instructors and training sites is limited, which slows down the process of training of specialists. According to the F-16 pilot Michel Kurran, many expect the culminating moment with the arrival of these aircraft arriving in Ukraine, but the situation will not change quickly.

"They (F-16) are difficult. They are difficult to support and operate. It is, of course, exciting, but we have to be a little patient to see the results," he said. Another important point is the position of countries that intend to provide Ukraine with planes for restrictions in their application, as an example of long -range missiles. There have not yet been such messages, but at the same time it is expected that the F-16 will be used carefully.

They will fly at a safe distance from the front, which makes them unlikely to use them for shocks in objects in the Russian Federation. We will remind, on July 10, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated that the process of transferring to Kiev modern Western fighters of the F-16 has already begun, so the planes will begin to defend the territory of Ukraine this summer. According to TASS, Russian pilots are ready to collide with F-16 fighters that will arrive in Ukraine.