The Fighting Falcon Force: How Formidable Will Ukraine Be With F-16 Against Russia?

Ever since the war in Ukraine started, Kyiv has been requesting lethal F-16s. The idea was initially ridiculed and then thought to be an impossible task. Still, in the last two years, it has turned into an inevitable reality, with the first batch of F-16s arriving in Ukraine as soon as the middle of August.

Illustration by The Geostrata

Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, and Denmark are the countries that promised to deliver around 45 aircraft to Ukraine, with an international coalition of countries working together to bring more jets, train Ukrainian pilots, and provide technical support to Kyiv.

The question is no longer about whether the F-16s will arrive. It is about how much their arrival will change the scenario for Ukraine.

THE UNQUESTIONABLE PROWESS OF THE FALCON

Made in the late 1970s, the F-16 has still managed to keep up with technological progress even after 40 years, with more than 2000 operational aircraft being operated by 25 nations across the world.

What makes this 4th generation fighter so unique and attractive is its compact design, high manoeuvrability, and state-of-the-art electronic system, which gives it multi-role operability.

The F-16 is also the most cost-efficient fighter produced by the US, which makes it affordable to its allies like Egypt, Greece, and Taiwan, among others.

Looking more specifically, the F-16 for Ukraine will come with advanced weapons like AIM-120 (AMRAAM) missiles, which will allow it to engage in beyond-visual-range combat (BVR). Simply speaking, the F-16 can hit the target without actually having to see it or be seen.

This is a major upgrade compared to the MiG-29s that both Ukraine and Russia have been using. This fire-and-forget capability also allows Falcon to engage multiple targets simultaneously. Besides, the AIM-120 F-16 can carry a variety of weapons, such as AGM-88 (HARM) anti-radiation missiles, stealthy JASSM missiles, and small-diameter JDAM bomb guidance kits.

Plans are also being made to make the F-16 compatible with stand-off cruise missiles like Storm Shadow or SCALP. These weapons will make the F-16 capable of engaging air-to-air as well as air-to-ground targets.

Another major upgrade of the F-16 is its ease of operability for the pilot. One of the pilots who are being trained to fly falcons in Denmark told Ukrainian platform United24 that switching from old Soviet jets to F-16s was like upgrading from a “Nokia to an iPhone.”

The F-16 does boast more advanced, compact, and easy-to-operate systems. Its cockpit has the world’s first “fly-by-wire” system, which gives it superior flight control. It can also withstand high G-force combat manoeuvres.

All of this gives a pilot more control over the aircraft and allows him to quickly react in combat without being required to interact with multiple switches across the cockpit. The F-16 is also equipped with advanced avionics and electronic warfare systems.

CHALLENGES OF OPERATING F-16s

Undoubtedly, the F-16 comes with advanced lethal power, but there is a catch to its high-performance abilities. Ukrainians are accustomed to Soviet and Russian aircraft, which are traditionally known for relatively low maintenance and repair requirements.

These planes were designed to be sturdy and able to operate in rough terrain. On the contrary, the F-16 requires a considerable amount of logistical, maintenance, and repair support for full functioning. A single F-16 requires roughly 18 personnel for maintenance. 

The F-16 is a single-engine aircraft and has no protection for its air intake, which means it needs a clean, smooth, and long runway for take-off. Any debris that goes in poses a threat to the F-16. This becomes a challenge in the country, which has been wartorn for more than 2 years. Ukraine needs to protect its F-16s and runways with SAM systems.

Training pilots for the F-16 is also time-consuming and can take up to nine months. It requires a huge effort from the pilot. Without skilled pilots, the F-16 cannot perform as per Kyiv’s expectations. Besides this, Ukraine will require constant multinational replenishment to effectively use F-16s against Russia.

RUSSIAN AIR POWER

Despite facing heavy losses on several occasions, 90% of the Russian air force is still operational, according to the top U.S. commander in Europe, Gen. Christopher Cavoli.

Russia is also changing and improvising its aerial offensive tactics in Ukraine. Focusing more on the front rather than going deep inside and using glide bombs, guided munitions, and cruise missiles to hit targets from long range. Not to forget the heavily increased use of kamikaze drones and loitering munitions like Shaheed-136 and Lancet. 

There should be no doubt regarding the power, quantity, and quality of Russia’s air force. It is far from being obsolete on the battlefield. 

F-16s have an outstanding combat record, but that doesn’t mean they are invincible. Adding them to its arsenal will certainly boost Ukraine’s capabilities. But to think they can be game changers, especially in a short time, would be overly optimistic.

It will require time and effort to fully integrate F-16s into Ukraine’s air defence structure. F-16s should be operated wisely and in coordination with Ukraine’s overall objectives on the battlefield. Perfect utilisation of F-16s on the ground as well as in aerial assaults can help Ukraine deter Russian offensives.

Kyiv should use F-16s to actively deny Ukrainian airspace to Russian aircraft instead of trying to achieve air superiority. F-16s therefore should be viewed as long-term deterrents instead of short-term quick solutions. 

---

BY MANDAR RANSING

TEAM GEOSTRATA

info@thegeostrata.com