Ukrainian pilots complete F‑16 training: A significant shift toward Western aircraft
2:34 PM EST, February 21, 2024
Erin Hannigan, a spokesperson for the Arizona National Guard, informed that a second group of four pilots commenced their training in January. A third group of four pilots is currently participating in English language training, which is a prerequisite for flying F-16 fighters. All groups are scheduled to complete their training program between May and August.
Ukraine’s Transition to F-16
The Ukrainian populace is passionately anticipating the arrival of Western F-16 fighter jets. Authorities in Kyiv believe these aircraft have the potential to overhaul aerial warfare strategies and effectively ward off Russian attacks. For Ukrainian pilots, who have been operating Soviet-made machines until now, transitioning to more modern fighters represents a significant shift. The Su-27 or MiG-29, previously used, do not match the specifications of the more advanced F-16s. This is clearly illustrated in the infographic below:
Based on current information, Ukraine is expected to receive around 60 F-16 fighters from Western nations. This fleet can transpose into the formation of three to four squadrons, primarily tasked with staunching Russian air strikes. These aircraft are capable of air-to-air operations and air-to-ground operations and can disrupt the electronic signal of Russian radars deployed within Ukraine and along its borders.
The F-16 is a fighter jet architected and engineered by Lockheed Martin. They measure 49.3 feet long and have a wingspan of around 31 feet. Capable of reaching almost 1524 mph, equivalent to about 2 mach, they have a diverse weaponry capability. Lockheed Martin emphasizes its over 36 years of weapon integration experience with the F-16 on its website, ensuring that this multi-task fighter can be equipped with up to 180 different types of weapons.
The primary weapon of the F-16 is the M61A 20 mm cannon. It can also be outfitted with guided air-to-ground missiles (AGM-65G2 Maverick), bombs (Mk82 or Mk84), and medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (AIM-120C-5).
