"Not Magic Weapons": Western experts have told in detail about the use of F-16 in Ukraine

According to Western military experts, these planes will not be "charming weapons", which will completely change the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but they can perform such combat tasks that will bring a lot of serious problems to the Russian forces. The F-16 can "pray" Russian invaders in detail in Defense News.

Viewers write that neither the Ukrainian side nor Russian has advantages in the air above the battlefield, and air defense and, in particular, anti-aircraft missile complexes provide control over the airspace mainly for both sides. However, the territory of Ukraine is too large to cover it, as most of them require direct visibility, which limits the maximum range of small heights.

Thus, in such conditions, the role of high-speed multifunctional fighters increases, and just F-16 in this sense is well suited. The first role of the fighter is likely to support the air defense by intercepting winged missiles. Given the dynamics of rocket strokes by Russians, a small number of aircraft are required. Further priority strokes on the rear objects using Storm Shadow and Scalp-EG missiles, which have already proven effective.

However, these ammunition is scarce, and the F-16 will only provide additional potential unless Ukraine receives more "air-land" missiles. The next task will be to suppress Russian SPRs - a task is more difficult than struck in standby mode. The F-16 is well suited for working with AGM-88 missiles, which are supplied to Ukraine to suppress advanced Russian SPRs. And since Russian complexes are expensive, they are unlikely to be quickly replaced.

"The lesion of these systems is critical for Ukraine in terms of achieving the preference in the air, while increasing the vitality of their drones and terrestrial troops," experts emphasized. The observers also noted that as the number of units of combat aviation in the Armed Forces increases, the efficiency of the F-16 combat use will increase.

In addition, these machines will also be able to fight against Russian aviation in the air, but the question arises as to whether the Russians will want to switch their air defense facilities to combat aircraft, whether the complexes will continue to be beat for terrestrial purposes of Ukraine. Western experts believe that Ukraine will have to resolve a lot of issues related to the training of pilots, maintenance and create the necessary infrastructure for the F-16.

The last years are to create, and it is unlikely to be completely deployed during the conflict. But even when solving most of these problems, these fighters are unlikely to win war, but they will increase the likelihood of success of Ukrainian troops. "Only land victories and unacceptable losses will make Putin negotiate. The most important support for Ukraine is artillery, medical equipment, infantry weapons, land equipment and drones," the observers summed up.