< /p>
The issue of supplying western aircraft to Ukraine is getting off the ground. Ukraine can get American F-16s, because they are most suited to the realities of the war.
This Channel 24 was told by military analyst Oleksiy Hetman. According to him, the F-16s have a greater payload, which means they will be able to use more missiles in one flight.
More missiles will hit Russian targets
Aleksey Getman said that an important advantage of the F-16 over the Soviet aircraft used by Ukraine is the reflective surface. Russian radars can immediately detect the departure of Soviet aircraft and direct air defense systems at them. The surface of the F-16 does not allow them to be detected by Russian radars, and therefore it will be much more difficult for the Russians to do this.
In addition, the F-16 aircraft can lift approximately 4 missiles, while the Soviet maximum 2.
p>
“Two squadrons of F-16s and long-range missiles will make it possible to deliver very powerful strikes deep into the occupied territories,” the analyst said.
What other advantages does the F-16 have
According to Oleksiy Hetman, in total, 4650 F-16 aircraft were produced in the world. This is a light bomber and the best aircraft of this class. More than 3,000 units are in service with NATO countries.
Also, this aircraft can be used as 3 aircraft, that is, it can be a fighter, a bomber, and an attack aircraft.
Oleksiy Hetman explains why Ukraine needs the F-16: watch the video
According to the military analyst, an additional advantage of the F-16 is the presence of repair bases in countries neighboring Ukraine.< /p>
At the same time, the situation with tanks may repeat itself, when the UK provided its Challenger 2 tanks, and other countries provided Leopard. According to Aleksey Getman, a similar situation could happen with aircraft. The UK can provide a squadron of Tornado or Eurofighter aircraft, and the rest will transfer F-16s.
Hetman noted that, unlike the situation with Leopard tanks, when Germany hesitated for a long time whether to allow third countries to supply tanks to Ukraine, the United States do not have such a ban, which means that only a political decision is needed for this.
Here the situation is slightly different from the situation with tanks, because then it was necessary to obtain permission from those who have a license, but here permission is immediately available, – the analyst noted.
Alexey Getman also stressed that the United States allocated funds for training of Ukrainian pilots specifically for the F-16, and therefore Ukraine may receive different aircraft, but the F-16 will definitely be.
What partners say about the supply of aircraft
- Poland has said it is ready to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, but will not be the first to do this, but wants other NATO countries to make similar decisions.
- UK can provide its aircraft to Ukraine . It is not yet known what models they are talking about, but during Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to London, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced training for Ukrainian pilots on Western-style aircraft.
- US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken did not directly say that The US will supply F-16s to Ukraine, but said the US will draw conclusions about what is most needed and what could be most effective for Ukraine. Previously, their statements were more categorical.
