How F-16 fighter jets could help Ukraine in its fight against Russia

Ukraine is looking to the skies and focusing its efforts on acquiring Western-made fighter planes.

The country has been pushing allies to send advanced warplanes for Ukrainian pilots to help Kyiv take control of its airspace in the ongoing war with Russia.

President Emmanuel Macron has said France does not exclude sending fighter jets to Ukraine if certain conditions are met, while US President Joe Biden ruled out sending F-16 fighter jets during a press briefing, despite renewed calls from Kyiv for more air support. Germany is also reported to have ruled out sending jets.

Former Air Marshal Greg Bagwell answers whether it is feasible for Ukraine to receive F-16 fighter jets from the West and how these jets might be used by Ukrainian pilots.

#forcesnews #ukraine #f16 #fighterjet #ukrainewar #news

[teatanks]

the F-16 is low cost, high effectiveness. It was built to be produced en masse for NATO to reasonably counter the Red Airforces while retaining better individual advantages. The Falcon can do just about anything it needs to, a good step up from planes like the SU-25 Ukraine is fielding now.

[robertdriscoll]

F-16 is one of if not the very BEST fighters ever. Over 40 years of VICTORY in this beautiful and very fast bird.

[dougcoombes]

Last year RUSI was recommending that the Saab Gripen be sent to Ukraine instead of other western fighters like the F-16 and F-15 which need long runways and have higher maintenance requirements. The Gripen with its rough field capabilities and low maintenance requirements would be more suited to Ukraine, but if they aren't available and we do start sending F-16s then we also need to send the air defense systems to protect the fields they are based at. Russian long range missiles are still a very real threat.

[chrishallam]

Nice to see someone who states realistic conversion times from Russian jets.

[evgeniybastrykov]

Inexpensive, easy to operate and very effective in combat, the F-16 will be a good cover for our tanks.

[cryptclown]

you can feel the frustration of Ukraine. All the talk of training and logistics. So start NOW! Yesterday! like he said at the end, when war is at doorstop training time is cut and these would be super experienced fighters. They could have at least trained them in secret and if they decided not to go ahead with it then at least it would lay the ground work for the future.

[The_Wolf]

Not to mention, Australia is willing to give away 40 of its F/A18 Hornets since they retired them from service. That could make the numbers well for the Ukrainians.

[rsKayiira]

This is one of the most qualified people on the subject. He spoke on Geopolitics Decanted and I wish more people listen to him more

[photosbymaddog]

The F-16 is a great aircraft, but they need to send A-10s as well. If the Airforce wants to get rid of the Warthog so bad, there's no better use for them than chewing up Russian Armor in Ukraine!

[thetopsecretpentagonsclass]

Viper technology is far superior to Sukhoi SU-27/30 & MiG-29, i seen many Sukhoi SU-27/30 & MiG-29s including Russians, don't have MAWS, digital RWR, Jammers, SAR, IFF, AFCS & SDT BUS( to carry targeting pod & Upgrade avionics). But a normal F-16 (block 50) can give you everything you want in air including things i mentioned up. The SAR mapping is very useful in SEAD to DEAD missions.

[davidphillips]

In reality they need FA 18 Growler and F 16s if they are going to effectively counter the Russian air defenses and Air force. Unfortunately there is way too much top secret tech inside the FA 18G for us to ever hand it over. Its the same reason we aren't putting our best armor packages on the tanks we are sending

[johndotter]

F-16 is a highly capable 4th Generation aircradlft!

[randyrobey]

This is a very informative video. Thank you.

[johnhopkins]

FWIW, it's the radar antenna that becomes the target.

[Ashley-Paucek]

I hope for a prompt resolution of the issue.
For Ukraine, this is very important. Every day there are people dying in battles...

[ThatCarGuy]

The F-16s would be the best thing in the sky there. 99 percent of Russian fighter aircraft still use 1950's PESA technology, almost none have AESA radars. The F-16 would jam them, see them sooner, and win the majority of air to air battles. SAMs would be their only real worry.

[leisakovacek]

The F-16s would help Ukraine a lot, so give them. Our support is very important

[MyScotty]

Send them now plus 50 A10 warthogs aka the tank killer!

[dannycostello]

I don’t see why the UK and Germany couldn’t send the tornadoes as the UK have retired them so I’m sure some are mothballed and Germany still have some operational I believe so would be a good plane to send also

[Ari-nqhz]

In an airspace with numerous long range anti aircraft systems how would these aircrafts fight effectively???