2024-08-02 18:17:51
“This is really the beginning of rearmament and a new era.” The F-16 is the first step toward a new model for the Air Force, and it’s truly incredibly important. For about 20 years, we have been talking about 2025. limit we have to switch completely to western aircraft. That’s basically what happened, just in different circumstances. I wouldn’t talk about the next range yet. After all, there were negotiations for Gripen, various modifications of French aircraft. Especially considering how unmanned aviation is developing, it is difficult to say which aviation platforms will be more efficient in 20 years – whether it will be a traditional aircraft or an unmanned platform after all,” he explained on the Espresso TV channel.
At the same time, M. Samus noted that when the first ten enemy Su-34 aircraft are shot down by these fighters, the Russians will have a psychological factor – according to him, this could be compared to the destruction of the Russian long-range radar detection aircraft “A-50”.
“The psychological effect will be after we shoot down several – up to a dozen Su-34s, after which their use will simply cease. After all, only one hundred Su-34s are left for all of Russia – and this is taking into account NATO, China, etc. threats. So, they can’t take that risk because they can’t produce a few dozen Su-34s a year right now. They can barely pull out a dozen. Also, it is unlikely that they will be able to produce these aircraft at all without Chinese help. Sanctions apply in high-tech areas,” said the military expert.
The F-16 used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces can solve the problem of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, says reserve colonel and pilot instructor Roman Svitanas. “One of the mechanisms to stop the Russians in the east is to prevent them from dropping a sufficient number of KAB (bombs). And one pair of F-16 planes will be enough to accomplish this task. At least the Russians will be constantly afraid and will reduce the number of aerial bombs,” he said.
According to expert Valery Romanenko, Ukrainian pilots with the F-16 can not only carry out air defense, but also target enemy planes flying at low altitude.
What can the Ukrainian F-16 be armed with?
US F-16 fighters can be equipped with a variety of weapons under their wings. The F-16 is only a flying platform for various guided missiles that can be launched from this aircraft, notes the Swiss newspaper NZZ.
The publication made assumptions about the armament that can be equipped with the Ukrainian F-16:
- AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X air-to-air missiles designed to combat aircraft and helicopters. These are the two most common guided missiles in the military air forces of Western countries. AIM-120, which has a range of up to 180 kilometers, finds the target with an active radar, and the pilot can turn around and leave the danger zone immediately after launch.
- AGM-88 Harm air-to-surface missiles designed to combat radar systems. These guided missiles are focused on the electromagnetic waves of the enemy’s radar systems and thus locate the target.
- Harpoon anti-ship missiles have already sunk at least one Russian warship.
- High-precision hovering bombs designed to combat ground targets.
- Cruise missiles for strikes on the internal territory of Russia. The F-16 can be fitted with cruise missiles such as the Storm Shadow/Scalp, which has a range of about 500 km, and the AGM-158 Jassm.
It won’t be easy
According to Business Insider, the F-16 fighter jets will significantly upgrade Kiev’s aging fleet of Soviet aircraft, bolster its defensive and offensive capabilities, and increase its firepower – but note that they also have significant limitations.
Ukraine has only a few F-16s and only a few pilots trained to operate them. In addition, Russia has its own planes and air defenses capable of shooting them down. This means Ukraine cannot use the F-16s for frontal attacks as it would like, military experts say.
Peter Leighton, a research fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute who served in the Australian Air Force, says Ukraine should be more cautious. According to him, due to the small number of aircraft and pilots, Ukraine will first of all have to avoid losses in order to use the F-16 for as long as possible.
According to the expert, this means that the F-16s will have to be “well protected” on the ground and are mainly used for operations in “Ukrainian airspace”, where they are safest.
“The main threat to them is Russian long-range missiles (S-400) and Russian fighter jets that stay in Russian airspace but launch long-range air-to-air missiles into Ukrainian airspace,” explains Mr. Leighton.
Both of these dangers pose the greatest threat as close as possible to Russian territory. If Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets get close to the front line, they will have to stay at “very” low altitudes to avoid Russian radars, according to Justin Bronk, an expert on Russia and air warfare at the UK’s Royal Institute of Defense Studies.
“Getting closer to the front line at a distance of more than 40 kilometers would significantly increase the risk.” I suspect pilots will stay away initially as they continue to gain experience with the aircraft,” the analyst added.
Marina Miron, a researcher at King’s College London’s Department of Military Studies, said Ukraine needs to build a network of radar stations, fortified hangars, spare parts, refueling systems and quality airports.
Designed by Unian.
2024-08-02 18:17:51