F‑16s face challenges in Ukraine: Limited frontline reach
Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander of the Ukrainian armed forces, explains in an interview with The Guardian's website that F-16 fighter jets, set to reach the front lines soon, will have some limitations. To prevent the planes from being destroyed by the Russians, F-16s will not be able to fly within 25 miles of the front line.
4:33 PM EDT, July 24, 2024
While many experts believe that the long-awaited F-16 fighters supplied by Ukraine's Western allies could potentially change the course of the conflict, some opinions suggest that the American machines will not be "miracle weapons."
Experts in the military sector have also recently highlighted that the F-16s will face significant challenges in conducting effective attacks and surviving. Analyses indicate that the greatest threats to the Russians will come from fighter jets operating around Crimea and the southern part of Ukraine, where Ukrainians are expected to have the freedom to operate radar planes.
However, the situation appears more dire for the Ukrainian armed forces along the eastern and northeastern borders of Ukraine. There, the Russians are reportedly gathering more tools to combat F-16s, presenting the greatest threat to them.
Ukrainians want to protect F-16s from attacks
The Ukrainian military is fully aware of the difficulties and risks that F-16 pilots will face in Ukraine. The fighters will be targeted by the Russians, making it essential to ensure their safety. Oleksandr Syrsky revealed that one of the steps to help the defending army and increase the survivability of the fighter crews is to ensure that F-16s do not come closer than 25 miles to the front line. "F-16s will have to stay 25 miles or more from the front line due to the risk of being destroyed by Moscow," said Syrsky.
It's worth noting that the Russian Federation also has concerns about its own aviation. Recently, it admitted that it does not know how to defend against Ukrainian missiles and drones. As a result, Moscow plans to prepare special hangars to hide its most valuable planes from threats.
The arsenal of these exceptional fighters will compound this threat. F-16s are considered among the best fighter jets in the world today. They are incredibly maneuverable, capable of accelerating to speeds of about 1,550 mph, and weigh relatively little at around 17,600 lbs.
The armament of these American machines is also significant. Mounted on the underwing hardpoints of the F-16 can be an array of guided missiles (including the AGM-65 Maverick), Mk.82/84 bombs weighing up to 2,000 lbs (in the case of the Mk.84), and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air radar missiles.
F-16s can operate at a maximum altitude of over 9 miles. The range of these fighters in the basic version reaches 2,000 miles, while with an additional fuel tank installed, it increases to 2,600 miles.
