Ukrainian expert warns: Outdated jets hinder defense against Russia
Konstantyn Krywolap, an aviation expert from Ukraine, has no doubts about the current quality of the aviation used by the defending army. He points out that Ukrainian planes are incredibly outdated, and the modern F-16s delivered to the front are "a developing platform."
2:16 PM EDT, August 2, 2024
American F-16 fighter jets, now piloted by Ukrainian pilots, will not be a panacea for Russia's threat. This is a repeatedly stated opinion echoed by successive experts. Aviation industry specialists have noted that Ukraine needs far more aircraft than its Western allies will supply.
Expert compared F-16 with older Ukrainian aircraft
In a similar tone, Ukrainian aviation expert Konstantyn Krywolap recently spoke to Channel 24. He compared the currently used Ukrainian aircraft with the new F-16s, and his words leave no illusions: the aviation of the Ukrainian armed forces is outdated.
“Russia significantly surpasses Ukraine in the aviation context,” we read on the Channel 24 portal. Although Western F-16s can improve the situation on the frontline, older machines still flown by defenders remain a problem. "All aircraft, except those provided to Ukraine by our partners, were modernized in the early 2000s," says Krywolap.
Speaking about Ukrainian aviation, the expert emphasizes that Kyiv has "old systems with radars with a range of 43-50 miles." Missiles fired from aircraft must move with the planes, as pilots "illuminate" them with their radar. This means that until the missile hits its target, the pilot cannot return. "This is the opposite of the operation of modern fighters," explains Krywolap.
It is also important to note that Ukraine has long been deprived of spare parts for its aircraft. "For almost 20 years, Ukraine has not received spare parts from Russia for old aircraft. The aircraft fleet is exceptionally outdated, and if we speak of the F-16, it was created as a developing technological platform," assesses the expert from Ukraine. He also added that, in his opinion, the F-16 is not outdated like Ukrainian MiGs or Sus; however, 50 years have passed since its first release.
Let us recall that F-16 fighters are aircraft characterized by excellent maneuverability. This is primarily due to their low empty weight, about 17,600 pounds, coupled with a maximum speed of around 1,550 mph. Under the fuselage of this American machine are weapons mounted on nine hardpoints. The manufacturer has adapted the equipment to carry a variety of guided missiles, including radar-guided missiles (AIM-120 AMRAAM) and bombs weighing up to 2,000 pounds.
