Ukraine's Push for U.S. F‑16s and ATACMS: A Tightrope Walk Over Putin's Threats

The United States possesses a significant arsenal of weapons capable of enhancing Ukraine's offensive capabilities. Colonel Petro Czernyk, a Ukrainian armed forces officer and military expert, indicates that the West's hesitancy regarding weapons support mainly stems from its apprehension of provoking Putin.

Czernyk suggests that providing Ukraine with 180 F-16 fighters, missiles, bombs, and 1,500 ATACMS missiles would enable it to reclaim the northern Azov region and restore its borders to its pre-invasion status of 2022. He notes that the U.S. has up to 4,000 ATACMS missiles and several hundred active F-16s out of the 4,500 produced.

The F-16 fighters represent a critical addition eagerly awaited by Ukraine. Recent reports indicate that Ukraine will receive six F-16s in the upcoming summer, with plans to receive more thereafter. However, details about the official transfer remain unconfirmed. The F-16 stands out not just for its impressive maneuverability, speed of up to 2 Mach, and range of over 2,485 miles but also as a carrier for essential missiles capable of targeting strategic locations in Russia. These include AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and various bombs such as CBU or JDAM.

The MGM-140 ATACMS missile poses a significant threat to Russia due to its long range of up to 186 miles. Weighing nearly 3,748 lbs and measuring almost 13 ft in length with a diameter of over 2 ft, each missile can carry an explosive charge of 1,235 lbs. A key advantage of the MGM-140 is that it can be launched from existing HIMARS platforms, negating the need for Ukraine to acquire new launching systems.