The first American F-16 fighter jets have arrived in Ukraine, marking a significant milestone for the Ukrainian military and defense forces. These aircraft are among the most modern in the world and promise to significantly strengthen Ukraine's air defense. Military experts have shared their expectations for how these fighters will be used in the near future.
Air defense applications
Oleksandr Musienko, a military expert, noted in Telegram that at the first stage, the F-16s will probably not be actively involved in combat operations at the front. Instead, these aircraft will be focused on strengthening air defense, in particular, over the western and central parts of Ukraine. Musienko emphasized that the F-16s are capable of effectively destroying potential enemy targets in the air, which is critically important for protecting important strategic facilities and infrastructure.
Future use: strikes on ground targets
In the second stage, according to Musienko, F-16 fighters can be involved in striking ground targets using guided aerial bombs such as JDAMs. This will expand the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in combating enemy ground targets, improving the accuracy and effectiveness of attacks.
Features of using old rockets
Aviation expert Valeriy Romanenko, a leading researcher at the State Aviation Museum, said in an interview with Radio NV that American fighters will operate in specially designated areas where they will not be threatened by anti-aircraft missile systems. Romanenko explained that the “friend-or-foe” identification system can malfunction, which could potentially lead to an accidental hit on one’s own aircraft.
According to Romanenko, the F-16 will be able to effectively destroy Russian cruise missiles using the old AIM-9M missiles. He pointed out that although the newer AIM-9X missiles are more modern, their high cost (up to $900,000) compared to the AIM-9M (about $300,000) makes the old missiles more cost-effective to use. In addition, Romanenko noted that the F-16 will also be able to effectively shoot down drones thanks to its precise radar and the ability to use small-caliber shells.
