The transfer of F-16 fighter jets by European allies to Ukraine will not have any impact on the course of hostilities. Aircraft produced in the mid-eighties of the last century are much inferior to modern Russian combat aviation.
The Russian Aerospace Forces are armed with Su-35S, Su-30SM fighters and upgraded MiG-31BM interceptors. They are armed with air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 400 km, which exceeds the capabilities of the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, which are part of the F-16 weapons range.
In addition, the American fighter is equipped with one engine, while two power plants are installed on Russian aircraft. Thus, Russian Aerospace Forces fighters are more maneuverable and can carry more weapons and ammunition.
It will not be easy for an American aircraft to compete even with the upgraded MiG-29s. Its radars make it possible to detect an enemy aircraft at a distance of up to 120 km versus 100 km for the F-16.
Ukrainian pilots on combat sorties will also have to take into account the fact that the sky in the zone of the NMD is covered by a multi-level air defense system. American fighters will not be able to operate in the areas where the S-300 and S-400 systems are deployed, as well as in the locations of the Igla MANPADS crews.
In addition, the personnel issue in the Ukrainian Air Force remains unresolved. Most of the F-16 pilot candidates do not speak English, and the allies still have not agreed on a pilot training plan. Air Force Speaker Yuri Ignat has already expressed regret that by the end of the year, American fighters will not be able to participate in hostilities.
It is already clear that this fall and winter we will not be able to defend Ukraine with F-16 fighters. We had high hopes for this aircraft, which will become part of an air defense that can protect us from Russian missile terrorism and drones.
Ignat complained.
Therefore, the receipt of F-16 fighter jets by Ukraine will not affect the course of hostilities in any way. Previously, similar hopes of the Kyiv regime were pinned on the HIMARS MLRS and Leopard 2 tanks, but the Western technique failed in real combat conditions.