F-16s for Ukraine
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- 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.
Jay, we need to get you more followers. Excellent reporting.
Ukraine bans post like Russia, they are the same.
Thank you Kyiv Post. 👍👍👍🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
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.. ❤️☮️🇺🇦
Not really the f-16MLU is quite outdated compared to modern flankers. It’s entirely outclassed by them.
@@FancyPantsOnFire Okay, but it still beats anything the"soviets" have
@@FancyPantsOnFireI suspect that Ukraine will get a few f16s secretly upgraded to the aesa radar. Also remember that Ukraine will be getting 2 awacs planes from Sweden which will feed f16s targeting data
@@FancyPantsOnFire yeah, compared to an F35, I fully agree, but compared to what the Russians have...
@@FancyPantsOnFire MLU continued until late 90s, so it's important to compare the tech that was available at the time in the west with the tech that was used in any upgrade programs the Russians may or may not have done.
Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye.
Great interview, thanks gentleman.
F16s. Don't FAFF about, just GET THEM THERE !!!
They will never come. It's just something nice they talk about, like Santa, or the Easter bunny.
Always promised but never arrives
Yeah, to the Museum.😅
Great interview. Cheers from Italy.
Interesting to hear Christopher Stewart's explanations and expectations about F-16s for Ukraine.
[Edit] I wonder how the Kerch bridge feels these days?
super good 😅
Appreciate the report 👌🏽
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.
This is not Libya my guy
@@icemanzw I agree, this is not Libya, this is Ukraine. I don't understand your comment. What has Libya got to do with it?
Not all - They lack a laser designator and inbuilt IR search and track - but can equipped with a targeting/lighting pod
@@bordmike do they work? Against worthy opponent
@@nick5062 it means don't base your opinion on previous wars they air superiority worked because Libya had no to little air defense so the talk about urkaine will achieve air superiority is no sense even nato it self will not be so sure vs worthy opponent like Russia with the ability to shoot them down maybe they will use the same tactics Russia airforce is using fire from a distance
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.
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
💙💛💪👍
🙏💪🇺🇦♥️🇺🇸
when are they going to get them? Los Angeles, CA
🎵 Kerch bridge of fire 🎶
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....
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.
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.
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.
🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦✌1991✌🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
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.
Whatever, Ivan.
How good to hear from one who, obviously, knows what they are talking about.
@@Tool683 Thank you. It really is quite frustrating, but it is the internet and Russia does have an absurdly large bot network.
And for those that cannot assess from my name, I am Finnish. Definitely not pro Russia. But, unlike many places that are "pro Ukraine" but really just "want them to win" without a lot of thought, or want to make memes about Russia being shitty, I actually think this is an existential threat and much, much more needs to be done. And pretending that Block 30 F-16s are some kind of super weapon or close to fifth gen and will just conquer the skies is setting up more unrealistic expectations that cannot be met and might then result in less funding as "well if the F-16s could't do it, and that was meant to bring air supremacy, why should we approve another 50 billion aid package?"
And how much time do you have in an F-16 airframe? Certainly more than an F-16 instructor?
So you are privy to what I would imagine is very protected information? I love Russian arm chair pilots....chuckle
So could 6 f-16s three taking out s400s or 500s and three going for the Crimea Bridge take out the bridge so it would take a year to repair?
Release the Fighting Falcons!
❤️💙💛❤️💙💛❤️💙💛
Why are we not giving Ukraine A-10 Warhogs ?? This guy is spot on with his comparisons !
They're struggling to get one aircraft program going. they've started with the most beneficial aircraft.
At this point adding the Warthog would distract from the F16 program and they might get shot down pretty fast anyway.
Have you noticed that the SU-25s keep getting shot down?
I think that A-10s could be used effectively but F-16s are more useful at this point so why be distracted with anything else?
lol no one wants to pilot that thing, the drones are better
@@firsthoonter2471 ...drones have limited use and don't have a "phalanx gattling gun", shooting uranium depleted bullets...and every little bit helps.
I guess those are thought to require established air superiority and all the SA-11 and SA-21 gone...
Yeah, we charge that on your card...
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.
Not a secret. Readily shown to public.
Ukraine will need to build a lot from the ground up : oil industry, deep patriotic identity, et cetera.
Therefore it is important to begin with reduced mission set. Pilots will need experience.
=> first air defense => then SEAD => then CAS
Probably exactly how a rushed training misson will look like ..just like their infantry where half is learned on the job
@@SparePhone-ej6lk Maybe You forgot: Ukraine is in a war since 2,5 years.
In WW2, pilots started flying their planes with training of a few weeks.
If western allies would have started the F-16 program earlier (as Ukraine always wanted), this situation could be prevented.
@@SparePhone-ej6lk And look how good Ukrainian infantry has performed with that OJT, sport.
Where are they ?
Russian Telegram says they're in Ukraine now and Russia has destroyed a few
Are your spies so bad that you have to scratch for information in podcast ? Slava UKRAINI ❤❤❤🇺🇦😊😊😂 !
F16 fighters for Ukraine soon soon soon soon is all we have been hearing for months where the hell are thay?
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 sake............................
These are aircraft that were about to be retired. How much will Ukraine have to pay for them
Short on specifics. You should insist your contributors script out what they will say beforehand. Also, every assertion must be accompanied by the source or else these discussions descend into mere bar talk.
Ukraine is going to need more AWAC/ELINT capacity and also Air-Air refueling capability in addition to everything else mentioned here.
Where are they going to fly then
F16s can't crossed the entire Ukraine territory from west to east where the action is (and back) without refueling 2 times (1 in, 1 out). They will probably land in specific spots (like a highway) to refuel. The logistics are complex.
No, it's to risky to do air-air refueling in ukraine, Kyiv is less than 80 miles from the northern border as are the supply lines to the west.
So at best it's WW2 Pacific was style with F-16's based in Western Ukraine out of dispersed bases, refueling at roadside bases 200 miles from the front and then operating at 500 - 10,000ft.
If the Russians can not take out Ukrainian current jets what makes people think they the Russians be able to hit f16?
They have been using their current jets very cautiously because they can afford to loose them. To get the maximum capability from the F16 they will have to attempt things that are more risky.
If they're given what they need to do certain missions and they do everything correctly it should work, but if any part of it fails the planes could be very vulnerable.
those recent F16's we're supposed to go to the scrapyard...
They need the F-16’s so the BIG guys can get his 10%
Erhm we ain't communism, my dude Igor!
Hey, what's the weather in leningrad?
That would be Putin or did you really think a man on an assistant mayor's salary could be a millionaire in 3 years?
How many ground support personnel are required for 1 aircraft?
There is a Guardian Angel for everyone you Know !!! The Gun Did Not Work When The Argentine Vice President Was a Few Feet Away From Her Assassination Attempt . That Failed Gun Happened Agin Recently In Pensilvania USA, A Minister With The Last Name Germany Was Under A Failed Attempt Shooting By A Man With The Last Name Polite Who’s Gun Would Not Work Also. The Gun Worked About An Hour Earlier When Polite Shot And Killed His Cousin. They Say Sometimes Things Occur With A Second Meaning. I Think This Means That Russia Will Be Taken Over With A Kind Or Polite German Style Take Over That Will Enable The Removal Of Russia’s Nuclear Weapon’s and Place Them On The Path of a Free Country For The Russian People. I Think Nato Might Do This.
A pilot has to practice for 3 years in order to handle a F16 fighter jet. Is this also true if the pilot has a lot of experience with a MIG 29 (or other) Russian jet?
1.5 years for experienced pilots
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Superior air power can make all the difference,, supporting Ukraine’s success is Europe’s best security
Naaaaw, the Middle East crisis ist not salved yet ..
So exactly when are these F16s, that I have been hearing about for months, going to arrive? All I hear is ' soon.....next month.....pilots need more training ' all pushing arrivals backwards.
The guy says 3 years of training for western pilot... I'd say 2 or 2.5 years from when training was announced
some have arrived, dozens of pilots have already been trained, as it only takes 3 to 6 months for those already trained as pilots. My guess is the laying out of many tent like structures and decoy tents, as well as hardened bunkers to hide them in is taking a little longer. Plus they dont want to advertise they are in country until it is too late and russia is reporting stikes by the f-16s.
gathering intelligence?
@@jtf2dan the truth is it's All PR deep down they know it won't work just like the abrams.. You are talking about Russia it's not like the previous wars Libya and others where the nation they faced have little to no air defense my guy they are so called nato doctrine will be tested vs a worthy opponent save this comment
@@jtf2dan you think Russia have no intelligence to Knoe they are there? In the country
What Day this year or next year or later ?
The F16s are going to be arriving this summer so they are actually expected to arrive now in the coming weeks rather than months.
I have a suspicion they are getting the latest version of the F-16; this will be the ultimate test facility. If you're giving them old crap, should be F-4's or F-104's. At least they still look good.
The F16 we have in Denmark have been upgraded but we are replacing them with F35.
So it is in some ways very used old planes with upgraded electronic
@@Jakob_DK Upgraded radar (to be able track 6 targets and guide 6 AIM-120's at the same time) a 200 mile IFF system, larger full color HUD and Display, NVG capability and Helmet mounted sights for starters.
@@pogo1140
Well information is sparse.
They had a midterm lift upgrade to “Block 52” and then some.
Some F16 will be lost to Russia and only some lower levels of technology is allowed for export.
I hope Ukraine & NATO have learned the lessons of the Serbian air campaign where a U.S. F-16 was shot down by a Russian missile - the Serb operator apparently switched on his radar for just a few seconds to track the F-16 then fired the missile - then turned off his radar once the missile was on its way. The pilot survived and had to be rescued by U.S. special forces.
If it was such an effective tactic, how come they only bagged one F-16?
@@jonlittle5032
Nato had flown the same schedule for several days. The schedule was changed
@@Jakob_DK Doesn't answer the question. Why wouldn't the tactic work on a different day?
@@Jakob_DK Not a very effective tactic, if target acquisition takes several days and allows daily attacks on your own forces until you get the aircraft in your sights.
@@jonlittle5032
The tactic only worked that time because the tactics of the F-16 failed. Flying the same route over and over is lazy and careless... and costly.
It’s summer! Where are the F16s?
Upon reciept of the F-16’s Ukraine should change their designation to “FU” - 16’s. Just as a message to Putler. 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸/NATO
How useful would the A-10's be to Ukraine? They would definitely terrorize Russian troops in the trenches. Would they be effective with F-16 air cover?
As Winston Churchill once said for every truth must be protected by a pack of lies..
Is that true?
@@jonlittle5032 As Abraham Lincoln once said don't believe everything you read on the internet
@@moblet Ok, we have two alleged quotes. Is either true?
@@jonlittle5032 As Winston Churchill said more than once, yes, though he reportedly said "bodyguard" rather than "pack"
@@moblet Dude. Sarcasm. Cope.
This guy is a great used car sales man. Low mileage driven by a grandma.
Troll !
Wow! the new F-16s that Ukraine is not going to get sound great, but the ones that Ukraine is going to get are the older version.
No, you are wrong, they get the midlife update version. A pretty good airplane
Sounds great, pity it will never arrive.
After 3 years of broken promises of air support, I don't trust any promises anymore.
Face it, the west wants to drag this war on so it can do as much damage as it can to Russia through Ukraine.
If they really wanted Ukraine to win and end this war, they would have given F-16s 2 years ago.
I don’t find this guy to be really all that knowledgeable for what the Ukrainians are facing.
Firstly the F-16 can’t carry everything in the nato arsenal, it carry’s a lot but not all.
Secondly he keep referencing Russian SU-27’s and MiG-29’s. That’s not the threat the Ukrainians are facing, it’s SU-30/33/35 and maybe even an SU-57z
Thirdly without AWACs and datalinks I don’t think the even the AIM-120D is going to be all that effective again a sophisticated Airforce like Russia’s.
Lastly the logistics and training required by the F-16 are going to make this have so many frowning pains it’s not going to be FMC anytime soon. Expect heavy losses.
What can't it carry, flyboy? The colonel is an experienced F-16 pilot and instructor. What are you?
The bulk of Russia's air fleet is Su-27s and MiG-29s. Those other are limited editions and Russia keeps them far away from the front.
@@jonlittle5032 Not entirely accurate. The bulk of the semi mythical multi thousand plane arsenal is SU-27 and MIG-29, yes. But they have well over one hundred each of the SU-34 and SU-35. The SU-34 is the prime threat with its glide bombs and the SU-35 the prime aerial superiority fighter.
The ones they don't have in any serious quantity is the SU-57 and the future SU-75 (if it ever gets produced). But they have more SU-35s and SU-34s each than most NATO armies have planes in their entire inventory.
A strong air force is above 150 fighter jets for instance.
So despite their numbers being deeply, deeply inflated Russia does actually have a lot more 4th gen jets than Ukraine will have any time soon.
Hopefully they can be attrited down and Ukraine gets more and more jets over the coming years.
Well, hopefully the war ends soon, but realistically its gonna last awhile.
@@AlexAnteroLammikko The Su-34s and -35s are built on the earlier airframes. Variants of US jets don't get new nomenclatures unless the airframe is significantly different. So no, the -34s and -35s aren't more advanced airframes. And the Su-57s aren't battletested.
@@AlexAnteroLammikko Russia is in its third year of a three day war. If they haven't acquired air superiority by now, what makes you think they can when the 16s start to fly?
Ukraine need to negotiate peace, not more airplanes...............
In the current environment Ukraine can't have peace until it has more military power.
Yeah sure, have us pay billions more.....
OMG. It's all a lie. I've been hearing about F16s for over a year and....drumroll.....nothing!!!
Like always,F 16,best in the world,Abraham best in the world, Patriot and all western made is best in the world but when this "best in the world meet Russian,all are useless.
Yah… American airforce and so forth… but the U.S. gave a total of zero F16
Kudos to Denmark and the Netherlands for providing it. Imagine the potential if the US donated some....?
What the hell is he talking about. Nearly 5th gen electronics? Yeah, if they were getting the f-16 block 70/80. But they aren’t. Ukraine is getting the f-16MLU. That’s really not impressive and entirely outclassed by every fighter (modern flankers) the VKS will put against it.
F16 about as much use as Abrams 😂
The Abrams were given symbolically to get the Leopards donated and everyone said they would not make much difference and were not well suited to this conflict.
Hope these f16 pilots have said goodbye to their families. Mig 31k kinzhals are updated equipped and ready
As stated in the interview, the Ukrainians are not going to be keeping the F16s in the same place everyday and may use less conventional locations.
AHH UMM WATTS THIS BULLSHIT GOT TO DO WITH ME ?
Many of the capabilities he mentioned are available on “V-standard” upgraded F-16, and new-built Blk70/72 jets …. but not on the airframes Ukraine 🇺🇦 is going to receive.
For instance the NON-AESA radar on the donated F-16 is far inferior to the radar of a Russian Su-30SM or a Su-35S.
An upgrade to “V-standard” should be honestly on the table, to not waste all the investment that is being made in training and infrastructure 🤷🏼♂️
👍 👍 👍 👍
Weren't they supposed to get them, like, two years ago? Not that it would make any difference. It'll all be over before it ever happens.
Rasputin pilot s have requested in flight nappies, if there engage in Ukraine f 16 on combat duties, true or false
Ukraine, what is left of it, needs peace.
Ukraine has lost a lot of men. Their women are spread all across Europe.
They have very little children.
The only one to benefit from F-16 would be Lockheed Martin.
What is left of Ukraine ? Currently russia has occupied around 20% of Ukraine, down from the 25% they had over a year ago.
@MissMan666
And, Ukrainians?
As compared to population in, say, 2020?
@@MissMan666
I just checked.
The ratio between men/women in Ukraine will never become normal (unless foreigners migrate). Too many men have died. And, there are very, very few men of procreating age left.
This means that Ukraine as a society can never recover (again unless outsiders migrate).
"What is left of Ukraine" now is far far more than what will remain if the Ukrainians stop fighting.
Ukraine needs all the help they can get but a few F16s, late in the show and with likely less than the latest and greatest capabilities plus severe restrictions on how/where they can be used may be of little use and may only bolster the Russian propaganda.
Do not worry about propaganda. Any equipment can be damaged. Important is the work done before it happens.
Let's revisit this conversation after the first sortie, eh?
@@jonlittle5032 OK, just that I'm kinda old. Hope you'll have some good news.
I love it when they pretend not to get the sarcasm.
They are getting 42+ but are going to be flying a dozen or so because that's how many pilots are available
Don't tell us when the F-16's arrive, but, tell about the devastation the F-16's are causing on the Russian aggression.
Aircraft cannot be flown until anti aircraft defenses are cleared. Ukraine does not have the resources to clear Russian anti aircraft defenses.
The Ukrainians have been killing Russian Air Defense Radars for the past year
Ukraine doesn't need another dime of my tax money.
Why they are important, therefore not given. Or what? Maybe 2027? Why to hurry indeed
Yea, sure but where are they? The F16s don’t seem to be in Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ok what they waiting for the Russian taking some land I can't understand eve you want to win
I thought they were supposed to be flying by now. Is there some bureaucratic stuff going on here?
Where the hell are they! Heard they were in Ukraine 2 weeks ago but no they are not!😡
Whilst the F-16s will be useful, they have come so late into the fight and with the US likely to drop aid to Ukraine come 2025 with a Trump presidency, they will be fairly limited in their ability to impact the war.
Beginning to see a pattern in the BS. Like a recurring hiccup.
why does Ukraine have to wait for this outdated crap? Why not f-35 to begin with?
Try again, Ivan.
This is 24th of july 2024 and the F16’s’are not yet there ? What the uck our government’s are doing ?
Ask MAGA.
ufortunately, risk is that the F16 provided to UA only will have old radars of poor quality, mening russians are able to spot F16 before F16 can spot the russian adversary
Yeah. I mean I hope that secretly they have been upgraded to Block 50/70 standards and have AESA radar, but thats highly unlikely. And only the Block 70 is anywhere near "close to" a fifth gen. And obviously even that isn't really. And Russia isn't coming at them with SU-27s but SU-35s, basically the Block 70 of the flanker family (Russia changes airplane name where the West changes the block number).
since US technology is 20 years ahead of Russia, not a problem. Russians are using old chips from the US
You didn't listen, did you? The Falcon's they are getting are active duty airframes that were already upgraded for the owning countries.
Lmfao air superiority 🤣🤣🤣🤣
He's talking about localized, not operational.
@@Aurleis thats even sadder. F16s have not won any war games against Su 35s.
@@bryandimery6509 Not sure what that has to do with air superiority at any level., but the USAF or other operators of the F16 never war gamed with either Russia or China who are the only ones to operate the Su35. So not really a win or lose thing
Liars.
Stop lying. Ukraine has 86 F 16s pledged. Russia has 2,500 combat ready aircraft out of an arsenal of over 4,500 military aircraft.
F-16 is not far more advanced than the Soviet MiG 29. F16 first flight was 1974, Mig29 and SU-27- 1977. In my opinion Ukraine wil not get any F16.
It's not about their age. It's about their sensors, processing power, and interface. F-16's have always been smarter and more capable than Fulcrums and Flankers. Not as fast and maybe not quite as agile, but definitely more comfortable and capable.
The F-16 was far more advanced then, and now.
The YF-16 when it first took off during it's taxi tests was more advanced than the MiG-29 that flew 20 years later.
There are USAF and USN pilots who've flown both MiG and SU as well as F-16 and F/A-18's.
While they are impressed by the MiG and SU flight performance, the were agast at how bad the MiG's radar was and the piss poor cockpit layout and ergonomic and how cumbersome and complicated it was to actually have to fight in the plane, some have even stated that the F-14 with it's 60's era design was easier to use
Pootins special military fiasco will become even more special 🤗
Usualy bla bla bla 😂