Ukraine's F‑16 jets: Transforming air defence against threats
Ukrainians are intensively using the small number of F-16 aircraft delivered to monitor their airspace. Here’s what they are used for.
Below is a recording of the F-16A/B MLU aircraft returning from a mission to its deployment location in Ukraine. A frame-by-frame analysis indicates that the plane appears empty except for two internal wing pylons. These can carry a combination of external fuel tanks and targeting or electronic warfare pods.
F-16 in Ukraine — aircraft as a supplement to air defense
Currently, F-16 aircraft seem to be used by Ukrainians primarily as a supplement to air defense for targeting drones and cruise missiles. At the same time, based on available recordings, strike missions are likely carried out by MiG-29 aircraft.
This strategy might be due to the need for additional training for Ukrainian pilots and the aircraft's superior ability to detect low-flying targets. Even a few F-16s offer significant reinforcement because Ukraine cannot station anti-aircraft systems every few tens of miles.
Using aircraft for this purpose is more effective, as they can patrol an area covering a few hundred miles. Additionally, Ukrainians may use F-16 aircraft equipped with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to shoot down Russian aircraft like the Su-34, which carries glide bombs—a scenario that has already occurred.
F-16A/B MLU after modifications — NATO retirees feared by Russians
Ukraine received F-16AM/BM aircraft that underwent Mid-Life Update (MLU) modernization in the 1990s. These units were further modified before delivery to Ukraine, involving removing specific components reserved for NATO countries and adding new solutions. This resulted in aircraft with significantly enhanced capabilities compared to standard MLU versions.
The Ukrainian models were planned to be adapted to modern weaponry, including French AASM Hammer bombs. They were also equipped with advanced targeting pods like the AN/ASQ-213 HTS, which allowed the effective use of weapons such as AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles.
There's a possibility that the modifications included upgrades to the AN/APG-66 or AN/APG-68 radars, potentially incorporating newer technologies like the AN/APG-83 SABR for improved performance.
As for weaponry, the basic armament of the F-16 includes a six-barreled 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon and eleven pylons with a total load capacity of 15,000 pounds. Two of these, located on the wing tips, are dedicated to short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Using two to three pylons for targeting pods, electronic warfare, and fuel tanks remains standard, leaving six available for armament.
