The first F-16 fighter jets from NATO countries are finally arriving in Ukraine after many months of preparation and training.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says these jets are crucial for defending against Russia’s air superiority and keeping the skies open.
However, Russia has also been preparing for these jets, targeting Ukrainian airfields and raising concerns that the F-16s might be attacked as soon as they arrive.
In July, Russian forces attacked three Ukrainian airfields in Myrhorod, Kryvyi Rih, and the Odesa region. Moscow claims to have destroyed six Ukrainian fighter jets, radar systems, and air defense launchers.
Kyiv has mostly stayed silent but hinted on social media that the destroyed jets were actually decoys meant to waste Russian missiles.
Ukraine’s allies worry that there might not be enough protection for the F-16s. According to air power expert Prof Justin Bronk, Ukrainian warplanes have so far avoided attacks by constantly moving between bases.
But this strategy might need to change to protect the new F-16s, which require smooth runways free of debris.
Russia now uses advanced spy drones to monitor Ukrainian air bases, giving them real-time images that help target attacks more accurately.
Recent Russian attacks on Myrhorod airbase showed precision strikes on parked jets, suggesting their surveillance is effective.
While the F-16s have not yet arrived, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced they are being sent from Denmark and the Netherlands. Ukraine is set to receive 65 F-16s, nearly doubling its current fleet of Soviet-era jets.
President Zelensky has emphasized the urgent need for these jets to conduct critical missions, such as destroying Russian missile systems and defending Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine is facing a significant threat from Russian glide bombs, which are causing widespread damage. If the F-16s can be protected on the ground, they could help push back Russian aircraft and reduce the threat from these bombs. The F-16s will work alongside existing air defense systems like the Patriot and NASAMS to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The new jets will be armed with advanced missiles that can self-guide to their targets, unlike Ukraine’s current Soviet-era missiles. This will allow Ukrainian pilots to fire and then maneuver away from danger. However, there are concerns about whether the F-16s can effectively protect Ukraine’s frontline towns, as they will be vulnerable to Russian air defenses at both high and low altitudes.
Despite the challenges, aviation expert Anatoliy Khrapchynsky believes the F-16s will improve Ukraine’s air defenses, intercepting cruise missiles and supporting Patriot batteries against ballistic missiles. However, Ukraine still faces a shortage of Patriot systems and missiles.
While the F-16s alone may not change the course of the war, they are expected to significantly impact ground and air attacks.
The key questions remain whether Ukraine will have enough of these jets and if they can be adequately protected on the ground.
This summary is based on reporting by the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kr240gd18o