Ukraine Can Fly Only 3 F-16s From First Batch, Russia Says Jets 'No Silver Bullet, Will Be Downed'

The first batch of long-awaited F-16 jets have arrived in Ukraine, Lithuania’s foreign minister and a United States official have said, an effort Kyiv has said will help rebuild its depleted air force.

Ukraine has been eager to acquire F-16s, built by Lockheed Martin, because of their destructive power and global availability. The fighter jet is equipped with a 20mm cannon and can carry bombs, rockets and missiles.

#russia #ukraine #f16 #f16fighter

00:00- INTRODUCTION
03:24- UKRAINIAN AIR FORCE CAN “FLY ONLY THREE F-16s AT THE MOMENT”
05:09- US TO ARM UKRAINE’S F-16 JETS WITH ADVANCED WEAPONS
06:53- “RUSSIA WILL SHOOT DOWN F-16S”

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[emmanuelkelechi]

Just like Abram wonderful tanks, f-16

[albertohusay]

If Russia is good at shooting down aircraft, how come the Ukrainian air force still exist?

[carlitosk]

Those F-16S are going to look nice on display in Moscow next to the Abrahams and Bradleys

[georgemorrison]

Why is Putin so concerned about them then .

[RobMedvedev]

Pmsl at russia. They said the same about himars, storm shadow and atacms 😂😂😂😂

[zarticlife]

These upgraded fourty year old jets will be game changers.

[AlejandroVarela-lg]

F-16 pilot: "why are you welding the canopy"???... don't worry sir, just for deflecting the russian flying shovels...."

[richardmccann]

The F16s will either be blown up on the ground or in the air

[hyhhy]

Russia has known these planes for 40+ years... And Russia has been preparing for them in Ukraine for 1.5 years. They are nothing that Russia isn't prepared to handle.

[TeguhSantosot_so]

everytime he speak always sound like I need money.. more money and need more money

[solidfoelife]

Whats the point in getting f-16's if the Ukranatsee's are afraid to fly them in combat. its only for show.

[mvitmpz]

The Ghost of Kyiv most certainly will get one.

[elchicano]

I’ve been a strong Ukrainian supporter for a long time, but it’s over with this kind of help that they are receiving tying their hand behind their back. It’s over it’s only a matter of time. Eventually, I believe Ukraine will have to seize some of its territory.

[shumyinghon]

some ppl are already looking harder at the remaining airfields

[amlanmishra]

Do not know why west is so desperate giving Ukraine F16
Ultimately it is going to hammer their image and the jet's capability

[richardgaya]

Some quarters seem to proceed on the mistaken belief that F16s are a novelty to Russia.... open your minds and check out the conflict sector of the Middle East and you might come out informed that Russia is indeed fully conversant with this combat aircraft... which as has been the case with literally each and every military system that the Western Axis has introduced into the Ukrainian sector, is currently being over hyped in terms of its efficacy!!

[operator]

Ukraine once had an entire airforce of their own but dont worry a handful of f16's will do what they could not right?

[triggersafe]

There was the eagle squadron, and the flying tigers.Let western pilots volunteer to fly for Ukraine!

[stephenmwanamainda]

Desperate and blindness. to sad to see the collective west sinking down everyday

[lindaho]

Kyiv wouldn’t be able to get its newly acquired refurbished F16 fighter jets for a year and perhaps another 2~3 years for air-combat or ground-attack missions. By then the war would be over, and the fighters will serve as reminder of US and NATO efforts to support Kyiv resistance against. Flying F16s are not flying kites on windy days. Neither are the F16s Nike or Adidas footwear that one puts on for a race down the runways of the Paris Olympics tracks. There is a whole range of services needed to support their mission and fighting roles: from engineer training to service maintenance workshops to radar communication, less to talk about flying, air or ground combat experience. It’s not as simple or easy as a game of black and white checkers or catch and run in a football match. For a start the Ukrainians will need to learn to read American and understand American instructions. While the F16s serve to boost the morale of a highly demoralized and decimated force, the lost of just one F16 thru inexperience or insufficient flying experience, or fraught engineering, is not just embarrassing but a great stain on military strategists, propagandists and commanders-in-chiefs from Kyiv to Brussels and Washington. In short, we will see the F16s flying around in circles over Kyiv for a start and to expand its range and cover within national boundaries and combat missions in ~two years. Washington is certain to hold the leash on the F16s to cross the Russian front. In short there needs to be realistic expectations or else the F16s will not be able to land soon after takeoff.