Ukraine, in order to counteract KABs, needs combined protection — and F-16 and air defense aircraft.
This is stated in in an interview with the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to the military man, presenter and journalist of the Vikna-noviny program Orest Drimalovsky, as well as Lyudmila Dobrovolskaya, a journalist of the TV channel Mi — Ukraine.
— I think we can count on combined defense. Today there is only one working format against KABs — These are anti-aircraft air defense systems. They (the occupiers, — Ed.) go further, they make KABs that operate at a greater distance, — says the head of state.
Therefore, Ukraine needs long-range air defense systems to reach them at long distances.
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In particular, Zelensky noted that other weapons against KABs are being developed. Which one — he did not elaborate.
When Ukraine will receive Western F-16 fighters
By the end of this year, Ukraine will be able to receive F-16 fighter jets from Western partners. Their number will be 10% of the total. And this in turn will strengthen the fight against KABs.
— Why did I say combined defense? Both aircraft and air defense. Because we don't have enough planes, — says the head of state.
He noted that there is accurate information on how many KABs the enemy is hitting Ukrainian positions, how many means they use for this.
— What is 10% (F-16, — Ed.) of that volume? Of the composition of our modern air fleet, which it is enough to defeat on your own? the number of Russian aircraft that operate in Ukraine.
I say, if you fight in the sky, then fight and win, and not just “we have the F-16”. We need the appropriate quantity. And we understand that there will be 10% of this this year. That's why I said combined, there aren't enough planes now — and airplanes and air defense. So you can, — added the president.
