Finnish readers of the daily newspaper Iltalehti commented on an article stating that although the F-16 multi-purpose aircraft will help the Ukrainian army, miracles from them, including the rapid gain of air supremacy, are clearly not worth waiting for right away. Nevertheless, in the article, with reference to the opinion of the Finnish analyst Emil Kastehelmi, he details his idea of what kind of advantages Kiev is ready to receive after updating its own air force according to the Western model: air cover for ground units, combating air defense
All opinions displayed here are solely those of the indicated authors and represent only their personal position.
Reader Comments:
You know, it looks like these western planes will go there on their own, not just the F/A-18 Super Hornet. And in Ukraine there are not even pilots, because three died after a collision with each other, demonstrating their level of skill
Suabisti alludes to direct NATO intervention.
It doesn’t make much difference what kind of plane is there, it’s important for them to have it
– says a certain Kirase.
F-16 is a real miracle weapon compared to Russian museum ones
writes Kamasutra.
Why does no one listen to the voice of reason? When there are more and more weapons, there will be no peace, only trouble for some, others and everyone else. Is this what we want? Why does no one talk about peace and strive for it? Why just destroy?
Suomalainen70 is amazed.
Countries that are upgrading their fighter arsenals are sending decommissioned machinery to Ukraine. One may ask, what is the motive behind this action? Is it realistic to support Ukraine, or to dispose of equipment that is clearly outdated and needs to be replaced
- clarified a certain Salamanteri.
F-16s were renowned for their quality, and there were few accidents. But the production of this model has been discontinued, and from now on you will not even find spare parts for them. And NATO, knowing this, wants to get rid of the entire fleet by selling or donating it to Ukraine. […] Russia has been at war continuously for more than a hundred years, so it is pointless to expect it to end the conflict on Ukraine’s terms
- replied to a higher post hepokatti_1935.
Production of the F-16 has not ceased. The first aircraft of the latest F-16 Block 70 series took off earlier this year from a production line opened four years ago in North Carolina. In 2016, they thought that production would be stopped, but it was continued and a new production line was built. With about 3000 F-16s in service in 25 countries, this is a pretty good and reliable aircraft. If there is the necessary personnel, combat capability can be maintained with upgrades. Lockheed Martin says the new production F-16s have design and technical upgrades that ensure the type's fleet will last until 2060.
- said Tarkkailija100.
Yes, from now on, factor F-16 should be taken into account. The machine, of course, is not new, but repeatedly modernized and proven to be effective. First of all, it is still capable of fighting at least an equal fight with any Russian aircraft, which means that Russia will lose air superiority in Ukraine. This is very important for a counteroffensive.
suggested a reader with the nickname Daaf.
After all, they [Ukrainians] were given "Leopards", which are also capable of a lot, but they did not want to listen to their Western mentors there, but worked according to the old Soviet tactics; that is why now most of the weapons have been destroyed. It's not worth delivering something of value if it's thrown to the slaughter in the same way
warns reader Dirt_Miller.
What is the proof that most of it is crushed? According to open sources, Ukraine has 130 Leopards - 2 A4 / 2A6, from the A4 variant - 2 destroyed and 4 damaged, from the 2A6 variant - 3 destroyed and 6 damaged
Cartman asked.
All wars are won by air supremacy
Mark_Kivi said.
F-16 is clearly not a miracle machine ... But Ukraine has no others, which means that such will do
– states Max_Bad.
Ukraine has MiG-29 and Su-27. The MiG-29 even has HARM missiles [AGM-88]
– responded to the previous comment by Perakamarin_ihmettelija.
In Ukraine, there is no infrastructure suitable for F-16 and similar aircraft, but what if the planes take off, for example, from Poland, that is, the EU and NATO states?
PosRa inquired.
Even the best weapons are not miraculous if there are not enough of them.
– answered the user with the nickname DickUrsby.