Ukraine Begins Flight Training on F-16s to Bolster Defense against Russia

Ukraine's Pilots Master Western F-16 Fighter Jets

Ukraine has taken a significant step in strengthening its defense capabilities against Russia by initiating flight training on Western F-16 fighter jets. This move comes as a response to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine's outdated Soviet-era MiG-31 and Su-27 aircraft being outmatched by newer Russian jets.

President Zelenskyy's Focus on Long-Term Security

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has consistently emphasized the importance of enhancing the country's air power to ensure long-term security. Recognizing the need to compete with Russian air capabilities, Ukraine's allies welcomed the news of Ukrainian pilots now being trained to fly F-16 fighter jets.

Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, confirmed that Ukrainian soldiers have commenced "in the air" flight training on F-16 jets obtained from Western nations. This development was reported by Defense Blog, a military blog run by a former Ukrainian defense consultant. Ignat further stated that some pilots are already undergoing air training with instructors on combat aircraft, and the progress is in line with the planned objectives.

Ukraine's Pursuit of F-16s

Ukraine has been actively seeking to add F-16s to its arsenal of fighter jets since the early stages of Russia's invasion. According to John Baum, a retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel, the American-made F-16 is regarded as one of the most capable dogfighting jets globally. Given that Russia possesses more technologically advanced jets such as the MiG-31 and Su-25, Ukraine's outdated MiG-29 and Su-27 are at a disadvantage.

Aside from the need to compete effectively, Ukraine also requires F-16s due to challenges in repairing its existing fleet of fighter jets. Brynn Tannehill, a defense expert and former US Navy pilot, explained that Ukraine faces difficulties in replacing parts for its Soviet-made jets as most of these parts are located within Russia.

Training Locations and Future Plans

While a small group of Ukrainian pilots are currently training on F-16s in the United States, the majority of the training is taking place in Romania. Five F-16s, supplied by the Dutch, are stationed at a Romanian training center. The Netherlands Armed Forces have announced their intent to deliver an additional 18 jets by the end of this year.

The Potential of F-16s in Ukraine

Defense experts have highlighted that equipping F-16s in Ukraine with AIM-9 and AIM-120 missiles could provide them with an incredible capability in close-range battles. These missiles utilize infrared, heat-seeking guidance to effectively deliver high-explosive warheads to their targets. In line with this, the US Department of Defense recently announced the provision of AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles to Ukraine as part of a $250 million security assistance package.

Ukraine's investment in F-16 fighter jets and the ongoing flight training represents a significant step in bolstering its defense against Russia. By upgrading its air power, Ukraine aims to level the playing field and enhance its ability to protect its sovereignty and national security.

Source: Business Insider

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By: kniemeyer@insider.com (Kenneth Niemeyer)
Title: Ukraine Begins Flight Training on F-16s to Bolster Defense against Russia
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-f-16-training-russia-war-strategy-2023-11
Published Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2023 18:06:47 +0000