F-16s for Ukraine

For more than two years, Ukraine has asked the West to supply it with F-16s. Now, after an extraordinary wait, it seems ever more likely that F-16s may soon be headed to Ukraine - something that is far more advanced than the Soviet Su-27s or MiG 29s. But, how much of an impact will it really have?

Kyiv Post's own Christopher Stewart explains to Jason Jay Smart why F-16s are so well liked by the military and what it will mean for how Ukraine executes its strategy to defeat Russia.

Prior to joining the Kyiv Post in February 2023, Christopher Stewart was a USAF officer and pilot. He has 3,500 hours of flight time in military aircraft, including the F-16 "Viper" and F-111 "Aardvark." Stewart earned his wings in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training at Sheppard AFB, TX. His first operational aircraft was the F-111F at Cannon AFB, NM where he was a flight lead, mission commander, and instructor pilot (IP). Stewart then transitioned to the F-16C at Luke AFB, AZ and flew Block 50 F-16s out of Misawa AB, Japan in the Force Protection (Offensive and Defensive Counter Air) and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), Interdiction and Close-Air Support Roles. Stewart then returned to Cannon AFB, NM where he flew Block 30s mostly in the air-to-air and SEAD roles, but also in Strike missions.

Stewart was later stationed at the Tucson (now-Morris) Air National Guard Base International Military Training as an IP for students learning to fly the F-16 from every air force with that aircraft, including Poland, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Greece, Singapore, Bahrain, the UAE, and Chile, among others. His qualifications in the F-16 included instructor pilot, mission commander, flight examiner, and every weapon it employs. Stewart is a graduate of the prestigious USAF Weapons School (a "PhD-level fighter pilot course") and has combat experience in both the F-111 and F-16.

[Barnaclebrothers]

Jay, we need to get you more followers. Excellent reporting.

[Mr-Science-Stevens]

Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye.

[o.m.]

With the F16's Ukraine gets so much more than just a fighter jet. The synergies created by Link16 alone cannot be listed here. The Russians will definitely have a rude awakening.. ❤️☮️🇺🇦

[Selectronify]

F16s. Don't FAFF about, just GET THEM THERE !!!

[larsrons]

Interesting to hear Christopher Stewart's explanations and expectations about F-16s for Ukraine.
[Edit] I wonder how the Kerch bridge feels these days?

[nick]

Apart from being able to carry all NATO ordinance, my understanding of the biggest advantage of the F16 is that it contains onboard targeting and detection equipment, which allows the pilot to make real-time split-second decisions regarding attack and defensive actions. Whereas, the MIG pilots generally receive instructions from ground based equipment. Therefore, due to the huge difference in pilot operational techniques between these two aircraft, it makes it very difficult to retrain a MIG pilot into an F16 pilot.

[ducoh]

I am also excited that the JDAM-ER seems to have been upgraded (dont know in what numbers) to detect EW/jamming installations and then take it out just like the AGM HARM finds it way by picking up the radar signals from SAMs. Taking out EW and SAMs could seriously help Ukraine in the air

[RonaldPlott]

I understand that the F-16s Ukraine will be receiving are not the latest versions since their availability is due to them being replaced by F-35s. What has me baffled is that I understand the F-16 were designed to operate off of smooth and maintained runways and thus their under carriage is not the most robust. Also their air intake is on the underside of the plane thus in theory they would suck in lots of dust and debrie which will be tough on the engines.
The F-16 does not sound like the ideal fighter aircraft for Ukraine where they are going to be top priority targets for Russian missile attacks, thus dispersion and runway repair will be essential.

I assume the air intake problem must have some work arounds since F-16 operated in multiple North African and Middle Eastern countries.

[serviustullus]

Ukraine will need to build a lot from the ground up : oil industry, deep patriotic identity, et cetera.

[robwyyi]

The one significant point is it’s still a production a/c. When the time comes Ukrainians potentially will transition to production F16 lasting further decades to come.

[billalumni]

After the forty year old f-16's fail to do much they will quietly move on to the next toy and say the F-16's weren't the top of the line so of course they failed. Watch, just watch. They have said that about every single toy they have sent and all have failed.

[Retroscoop]

F-16's would be of great valua, depending on what weapon systems are added to them. AMRAAMs, JDAMs etc... Yes, but who's generous enough ?
An additional batch of the Swedish Saab Gripen would also be an important plus:
a) 4, 5th Gen / added value to a F 16 batch
b) Easy to fly, easy to maintain (but spare parts might be some issue)
c) less expensive to fly with
d) STOL capability, can land and fly away from highways
And yes, even just 10 A10's could mean a world of difference when fighting treelines and defensive lines....

[CloudyMcCloud]

Given the years-long training programmes required for these aircraft (even for English speakers) in order to allow them to be operated effectively, and safely, and the lack of available Ukrainian pilots and ground crews able to take time out for this (and those with sufficient command of English), why not supply these planes NOW complete with pilots already trained to fly them? And if that's too "provocative" for Putin -- does he really have to know? Just a thought.

[Jakob_DK]

The idea that F16 should have be planed to be used from roads in Denmark is something I have though about and researched. It is either a secret he just shared or a misunderstanding referring to the Swedish system. The drag shoots are said to be for ice conditions at air bases.

[daveduncan]

All good and well about what they will or could be, they are late, they will most likely be drip fed, maybe all sorts of restrictions will be put on them.
I hope it doesn't amount to what they would or could have been. Let's hope for Ukraine's

[AlexAnteroLammikko]

This is a very strange conversation. Mainly because it seems to ignore a lot of the realities.
The F-16s that Ukraine are getting are not the latest version. They are not getting Block 70s or 50s. They are not getting AESA radars that can detect Su-34s before they can be detected. And they certainly aren't going to be primarily used for air superiority. The tech isn't there, the pilot skill won't be there, and the numbers of planes won't be there. Its too much risk to put them right into the front lines without building up the force over a long, long period of time. So thats late 2025 earliest, post 2026 most likely.
Realistically, these planes will be used for air defense. Hunting drones and cruise missiles and protecting against helicopters. Used as eyes in the sky and for doing a lot of the protection of airspace duties that pilots normally do. Chances of them shooting down SU-34s or SU-35s is very low, and I don't think they will have anywhere near the plane quantities to risk them for proper SEAD.

They will be very helpful for drone hunting and some CAS and maybe some ship hunting. But mainly it will be building up the air force over a long time and transitioning, slowly, to western equipment so that Ukraine has planes in the sky once the Soviet stuff they are using breaks down or gets shot out of the sky/hit on the air fields as they can't make more of them.

Hopefully in a few years Ukraine will have dozens of Block 70 F-16s and all the pilots that have years of experience. That would allow them to do all these things mentioned. But thats not anytime in the near future.

[hardstyle]

when are they going to get them? Los Angeles, CA

[hankhaney]

Why are we not giving Ukraine A-10 Warhogs ?? This guy is spot on with his comparisons !

[iantalbot]

F16 fighters for Ukraine soon soon soon soon is all we have been hearing for months where the hell are thay?

[alexandertimoschuk]

These are aircraft that were about to be retired. How much will Ukraine have to pay for them