2023-05-21 15:23:00
war in Ukraine
There is no alternative – Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets because they cannot win without jets
F-16 of the USA – the combat aircraft dates back to the Cold War, but has been continuously developed.
© ABACA/ / Picture Alliance
The public is arguing about the delivery of F-16 fighter jets. There is nothing to discuss: If Kiev is to recapture larger areas, the country needs fighter jets from the West.
The fighter jet coalition is in place, Ukraine will receive F 16 multi-role fighters. There was a bit of theatrical thunder for the public and presumably it will continue. But one can be sure: if pilots are trained for the fighter jet, the jets will be delivered.
The delivery of Western-style fighter jets was and is “without alternative” if Ukraine is not to lose the war. How come? The Ukrainian Air Force continues to fly missions with helicopters and jets. Pilot Rostyslav Lazarenk recently returned from his 300th war flight. During these missions machines are shot down, others are worn out with use. These losses were offset by the allies by supplying Soviet jets, namely Mig-29s. This was only a temporary solution. There are not many machines and spare parts left to supply. A new model will have to be selected in the medium term.
Simple and robust
The F-16 was also originally built as a light fighter, but was subsequently developed for the role as a weapon carrier, i.e. fighter-bomber. Compared to other Western aircraft, it is considered to be simpler and requires less logistical effort than, for example, the Eurofighter/Typhoon. Almost 5000 of the F-16 were built. In principle, therefore, Ukraine can be supplied for a long time. This also means that there are large quantities of spare parts. And also to personnel who are familiar with this type. In addition to personnel active in the military, alumni can play a major role. When ex-soldiers maintain the machines or even fly them, the distance to the NATO countries is slightly greater than for active soldiers.
Missile-Offensive
A few weeks ago, Great Britain announced that it would deliver large quantities of “Storm Shadow” type airborne cruise missiles to Ukraine, France followed suit with a missile that was largely identical in construction, and other countries then offered other types (“Storm Shadow” – with this one missile can destroy Kiev Putin’s bridge and airports). These missiles are all launched from an aircraft and, with their long range, are capable of hitting targets deep in the rear of the front lines. The large Russian camps were moved there after they could be fought by the Himars launchers. In total, Kiev will receive hundreds of missiles. With this delivery it was already implied that suitable aircraft must follow in order to be able to use the weapons in this quantity.
On the Internet, experts are already comparing the characteristics of the F-16 with those of its Russian opponents (Sukhoi Su-35S – Putin’s super jet). This form of quartet game duels is pointless, because in Ukraine there will be no dogfights of fighters, and certainly not as a “dogfight” over a short distance. Both sides have built up a dense air defense, nobody will endanger their valuable jets with missions in their sphere of action. Only when one side’s air defenses have been defeated can such operations be expected. Before that, the jets are used to launch ranged weapons with long range and precise destructive power, these are launched over friendly territory if possible and the jet returns. Climbing ability, acceleration and curve radius are not central here (S-400 Triumph – Putin’s rocket, which also takes stealth jets out of the sky).
Ukraine will be brought up to NATO standards
More important is that the F-16 will gradually convert Ukraine’s entire air defense and air force to Western and NATO standards. The process of air defense is in full swing, now the jets will follow. The F-16 is inherently capable of working with NATO-standard air defense. In view of the situation in Ukraine, this is imperative, after all, the Patriot missiles are not supposed to bring down their own planes.
With the F-16 and the corresponding ranged weapons, Kiev can resume the fight against the Russian facilities in the rear. Ukraine can attack invaders’ logistical lifelines like the Crimean Bridge. And try to disable command bunkers and anti-aircraft and electronic warfare facilities on the Russian side. It won’t be without danger. Though close dogfights are unlikely, the Russians will try to stem the fighter jet offensive with long-range surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles.
When is the “big” ground offensive coming?
An interesting aspect is the schedule. The retraining of already trained Ukrainian fighter pilots to the new type should take four months. Only then can these jets be used. If their in-depth operations against Russian installations are intended to prepare for Ukraine’s “big” offensive, this also means that this offensive with ground operations cannot begin in the spring but in the summer, rather in the late summer. Major breakthroughs and large-scale troop movements are previously unimaginable without their own air supremacy. Especially since the Russian air force is still active and can intervene in ground combat with a new type of cheap glide bombs without even getting within range of the Ukrainian air defenses (Putin’s air force is back – that’s how deadly the new, improvised glide bombs are).
The West has to keep going
The West wants to strengthen Ukraine or bring Russia to its knees by giving the numerically inferior country better-quality weapons. To put it bluntly: Leopard 2 versus T 55, Himars versus Grad launchers, Starlink versus field telephone, precision missiles versus clumsy free-fall bombs. The air force is one of the most important components of warfare, and in the long run it could not be excluded from the concept. Contrary to what some optimists thought, it is also becoming apparent that the West will have to constantly supply new material, because the Russians are not acting as stupidly as one might have hoped. They have found antidotes to the Himars launchers and are very strong in electronic warfare over the battlefield, maintaining semiconductors and tracking precision weapons despite the sanctions. The delivery of the F-16 reacts to this and it is quite to be expected that the West will have to keep adding more and more in the future.
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