F‑16s in Ukraine: Powerful potential but strategic limits
Ukrainian aviation expert Walerij Romanenko summarized the initial weeks of the presence of F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine. Although he acknowledges the undeniable advantages of these American aircraft, he notes that they have yet to change the dynamics at the front line because they are not equipped with the best features available.
11:13 AM EDT, October 23, 2024
The F-16 fighter jets are among the most anticipated weapons by Ukrainians. This anticipation was due not only to the West's challenges in allocating and preparing these aircraft but also to the need for developing appropriate infrastructure and training Ukrainian pilots. The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine at the end of July, with only a few units present, and more expected to arrive in the coming months. While the scale of the initial delivery received much attention, Romanenko believes this was not the sole issue of concern.
F-16 in Ukraine
"It's not about quantity, but quality. Firstly, we did not receive the Link-16 tactical information system for these aircraft, and we were counting on the informational superiority of the F-16 over Russian aircraft. Secondly, we have not yet mastered the use of flying radars such as AWACS. They would help our planes avoid ambushes by Russian fighters," Romanenko stated, as quoted by the Unian agency.
Link-16 is a tactical data transmission standard and the primary data exchange system used by NATO countries and U.S. allies. The West opted not to make it available to Ukrainians out of concerns that it could fall into Russian hands, potentially revealing one of NATO’s critical tools.
The F-16 fighter jets transferred to Ukraine are modified versions of the F-16A/B MLU (Mid-Life Update). They feature improved radars and are primarily equipped to work with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which have a range of about 60 miles. Romanenko also spoke highly of these missiles' capabilities.
AWACS aircraft for Ukraine
Concerning AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, significant support was announced by the Swedish government, which declared they would provide Ukraine with two Saab 340 AEW&C planes. These aircraft can remain airborne for 5 hours and come equipped with the Erieye AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar.
