What is known about the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte near an F-16 fighter jet. Zelensky agreed on the transfer of these aircraft with the authorities of the Netherlands and Denmark. Photo: Reuters

Kyiv will receive F-16 fighters from the West – according to preliminary information, about 60 aircraft. But this will not happen before 2024, and besides, it will take time for the training of pilots and maintenance personnel, which may move the real start of using these aircraft for an indefinite period.

Combat fighters may not appear in Ukraine immediately, and there are a number of requirements and restrictions for their use.

How many fighter jets Ukraine can get, and who will give them

The Netherlands and Denmark plan to transfer combat fighters of this type to Ukraine. At the same time, initial reports of the transfer of 42 used fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force were not confirmed: Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that “it remains to be decided” exactly how many aircraft of this type will be transferred.

In turn, Denmark is ready to supply only 19 aircraft, however, the sending of fighters will probably be carried out in small batches, several aircraft each, and will continue until 2025.

How many F-16 fighters were used by these countries, and what is special

Until recently, the Dutch Air Force had 61 F-16AM (single) and F-16BM (double) aircraft. The Danish Air Force had at least 30 of these fighters. Block 15 OCU and Block 20 MLU modifications are equipped with AN / APG-66 (V) 2 radars with an air target detection range of about 80-100 km. According to this parameter, the F-16s are four times inferior to the Russian Irbis-E radars on Su-35S aircraft.

At the same time, F-16s are potential carriers of JASSM-ER cruise missiles with a launch range of 350 to 900 km.

Norway may transfer 13 aircraft to Ukraine

Last year, the Norwegian Air Force decommissioned a fleet of 57 F16 Block-15 and Block-20 aircraft. Norway has agreed to sell 32 of these aircraft to NATO member Romania, which Støre says is the final deal.

Twelve F16s are to be sold to a private company that trains the US Air Force, but the plan has not yet received final approval and some analysts believe the jets could be donated to Ukraine.

Last year, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said that the remaining 13 aircraft were too expensive or too difficult to repair and could be placed in a museum, used for spare parts or recycled.

Greece promised to transfer 32 F-16 Block-30 fighters to Ukraine

Greek edition of Pronews informsthat after solving G-7 about F-16 fighters, the United States began pressure on Greece to transfer 32 F-16 Block-30 aircraft to Ukraine. To prevent the Greek Air Force from weakening, Washington has already concluded an agreement with Athens for the supply of 20 5th generation F-35 fighters V installment planfor the total $3.8 billion. How Greece will be compensated for the cost of the F-16s sent to Ukraine is not reported, but most likely this will be done as part of the so-called. lend-leaseannounced by the White House administration in the spring of 2022.

The machines of this series are much more modern than the F-16 Block-15 and Block-20, but they are quite old aircraft, which, however, can compete on equal terms with similar Russian MIG-29s and SU-27s.

When the Ukrainian Air Force will receive combat-ready fighters

According to the commander of the US Air Force in Europe and Africa, James B. Hecker, young pilots with almost zero flying time will go to learn to pilot the F-16. It can take four to five years to master the skill of piloting the F-16 and create two full-fledged squadrons (20+ aircraft).

Quick fix: mercenary pilots

“Voice of America” writes about retired US lieutenant colonel Dank Hamptonk, call sign Two Dogs, who is called the “most lethal” F-16 pilot, who is ready to protect the skies over Ukraine. He believes that the “partners will hand over aircraft to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the most important thing is to find people who already have thousands of hours of flying on such fighters and do not need training”. Previously, both current and retired pilots from other NATO countries made similar statements.

F-16 Fighting Falcon (“Fighting Falcon”) – American light supersonic multipurpose single-seat fighter of the fourth generation. It is capable of performing air-to-air missions, providing fire support, suppressing enemy air defenses (air defense), intercepting, conducting air reconnaissance, delivering tactical nuclear weapons and striking in any weather.

The YF-16 prototype first flew in 1974 as part of a US Air Force light utility fighter competition. At present, about 3,000 such aircraft are in service with 25 countries. The F-16 is produced mainly by the American defense corporation Lockheed Martin, as well as aircraft manufacturers in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

Specifications F-16

• length – 15.03 m;
• height – 5.09 m;
• wingspan – 9.45 m (with missiles – 10.0 m);
• weight with F100 engine – 8 910/9 358 kg, with F110 engine – 9 017/9 466 kg;
• maximum speed – 2,120 km / h at an altitude of 12,200 m;
• crew – 1 person.

Armament F-16

• small arms and cannon: 1 × 20-mm six-barreled gun M61A1 (ammunition – 511 shells);
• air-to-air missiles – AIM-7, 6xAIM-9, 6xAIM-120, AIM-132, Python 3, Python 4, Derby, Sky Flash, Magic 2;
• air-to-surface missiles – 6xAGM-65A / B / D / G, AGM-45, 2xAGM-84, 4xAGM-88, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM, Penguin Mk;
• adjustable bombs – 4xGBU-10, 6xGBU-12, GBU-15, GBU-22, GBU-24, GBU-27, 4xGBU-31 JDAM;
• guided cluster bombs – CBU-103, CBU-104, CBU-105;
• free-falling bombs – Mark 82, 8xMark 83, Mark 84.

Price F-16

The cost of the fighter is difficult to name, especially given the large number of versions of the F-16. However, it can range from $5 to $55 million.

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