A new wave of F‑16s bolsters Ukrainian defence against Russia
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a new batch of F-16 fighters from a Western European country has arrived in Ukraine. During a press conference on March 19, Zelensky stated that the delivery involved several aircraft, though he did not disclose the exact number, reports Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian president also stressed that Russian claims about the recent shooting down of one of the American-made fighters are false. Kyiv Independent recalls that since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has been seeking deliveries of F-16s. The first fighters arrived in August 2024 after securing approval from several Western countries. Supporting Ukraine are the Netherlands, which pledged 24 aircraft, Denmark (19 fighters), and Norway (between six and 22 fighters).
The role of F-16 – protecting the sky over Ukraine
F-16 fighters are deployed in Ukraine for both offensive and defensive operations. They play a crucial role in intercepting Russian missiles and drones during air attacks on Ukraine and attacking Russian positions on the front line. Their delivery, together with the delivery of French multi-role Mirage 2000 fighters, has significantly strengthened the Ukrainian Air Force, which until recently relied on Soviet-made aircraft.
The delivery of Western fighters has not gone unnoticed by the Russians, particularly their propaganda outlets. "Kyiv Independent" highlights reports from Russian media that claim one of the F-16s was recently shot down in the Sumy region, a claim vehemently denied by the Ukrainian Air Force. The President of Ukraine also refuted this claim during a meeting with journalists. Zelensky did not specify the exact source of the latest F-16 deliveries but emphasised that they are part of broader international support.
F-16 in Ukraine - characteristics
Ukraine has received upgraded versions of the F-16 AM/BM from its Western allies. These originate from the initial F-16A/B models that underwent the MLU (Mid-Life Update) modernisation programme. The F-16 AM/BM features improved avionics systems, including the AN/APG-66(V)2 radar's capability to use modern helmet-mounted sights and the Link 16 data exchange system. These modifications enable the aircraft to carry a wide range of armaments, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and guided bombs.
However, despite these upgrades, Ukrainian military officials point out that the delivered F-16s are not modern enough to effectively compete with Russian Su-35 fighters in direct air-to-air combat. Furthermore, there are reports that the United States has halted the delivery of key components for these aircraft's electronic warfare systems, which may eventually limit their combat capabilities.
