Ukraine can hope for F-16 jets after the U.S. U-turn. Experts expect that the balance of power in the air could turn.
Kyiv – The tenacity of Volodymyr Zelensky and his henchmen has once again paid off. As with the so-called defensive weapons and later the battle tanks, the West, as an ally of Kiev in the Ukraine war, was also reluctant to ask for fighter jets for months. But in the meantime, the hard-won Go from the Ukrainian president's point of view has arrived.
The U.S. is ready to release its F-16 jets, which are considered export hits, for use in the combat zone if partner countries want to cede their copies to Ukraine. President Joe Biden abandoned his negative stance, as did German Chancellor Olaf Scholz some time ago when asked about sending the Leopard 2 for Europe's bloodiest war in 80 years. Ukrainian armed forces are now to be trained on the aviators in order to be able to use them in the course of defending their own territory against the invaders.
Ukraine war: Zelenskyy successfully fights for Biden's release for F-16 jets
In recent months, Zelensky has repeatedly insisted on how essential it is for Ukraine's success against Russia and the separatists to be able to defend itself from the air. At the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, there was the long-awaited positive response from Biden. Previously, the pressure on the strong man in the White House on this issue had become ever greater domestically.
Some observers have even declared the jets made in the USA to be a game changer. After Biden's U-turn, the question now arises all the more as to how great their influence on the war can be. It is true that experts and politicians alike are already trying to ground the overly high expectations somewhat. But it should be clear that the F-16 will open up completely new opportunities for the Ukrainian armed forces to drive the aggressors out of their country again.
+Soon on the way to Ukraine? The U.S. is ready to release its F-16 fighter jets for the war against Russia. (Symbolic image)
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F-16 jets for Ukraine: according to experts, a few dozen fighter jets can make a "decisive difference"
Perhaps even faster than previously feared? As the Newsweek portal reports, with reference to several experts, just a few dozen of the fighter planes – in conjunction with the trained pilots – would make "a decisive difference in air combat".
To date, Kiev's troops have relied on the Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 models, which were provided to them by partners Poland and Slovakia. In April, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force said that five interceptor brigades were ready: three with MiG-29s and two with Su-27s. However, Russia could use at least five times that number.
So far, the balance of power in the air is clear, but could turn after the green light from Washington. However, no F-16 importer has yet agreed to supply Ukraine. Possibly, as is so often the case, the ketchup bottle effect sets in here: Only when a supporter of Ukraine dares to come out of hiding do others follow suit. For example, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Portugal, Turkey and Greece have F-16 jets.
+Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) can look forward to further military aid from US President Joe Biden.
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Ukraine gets F-16 fighter jets: experts expect advantage over Russia in the air
According to Newsweek, Andrew Curtis, a former officer in the British Royal Air Force, emphasized that given the inequality in the air so far, every F-16 jet used would make a difference. However, he does not expect that Ukraine will still be able to deploy enough copies this year to really take over air supremacy.
According to David Jordan of the Freeman Air and Space Institute at King's College London, 24 to 30 of the fighter jets would "noticeably improve the capabilities of the Ukrainians". While this number alone "may not win the air war," it would give Kyiv an advantage over the Russian Armed Forces "in terms of flying, fighting and planning."
For Greg Bagwell, who rose to the position of deputy commander of the British Royal Air Force as a former Air Marshall, up to 100 F-16 jets would be needed, "certainly over 60" for take-off alone. Meanwhile, former British military officer Frank Ledwidge, who now teaches military strategy at the University of Portsmouth, points out that Ukrainian pilots could handle the machines within a few months, but it will take much more time before they can fully exploit their effect.
According to the experts, the Ukrainians need staying power in any case. They have been proving this since the beginning of the raid. Even while persistently waiting for the allied West to move. (mg)
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