Just days ago, Ukraine’s government confirmed it had received the first batch of F-16s provided by its international supporters. More than a year had passed since a eleven countries announced at NATO’s 2023 Vilnius summit that they would provide training to Ukrainian pilots to fly the US-made fighter jet. Shortly after that announcement, the United States approved the transfer of F-16s from Netherlands and Denmark.
It took a year for the first F-16s to arrive in Ukraine not only because pilots who had only flown MiG-29s and Su-27s needed to be trained to fly the F-16 and employ its sensors and weapon systems, but also to train technicians, mechanics, and other support personnel, and to put in place the logistics infrastructure, to keep the aircraft operational. Reports indicate that the newly arrived F-16s have already begun flying operational missions. But the F-16 is a multirole aircraft, so what role are they most likely to play in the near term? How different are the F-16’s capabilities from those of the fighter aircraft already in the Ukrainian Air Force inventory? And most importantly, what is the F-16s’ likely impact on the overall war?
To examine those questions, John Amble is joined on this episode of the MWI Podcast by retired US Air Force Colonel Mike Pietrucha. A veteran aviator with experience in multiple fighter aircraft, he has also written extensively about airpower and closely watched the war in Ukraine. He shares his insightful perspective and his expectations about the effect the newly introduced F-16s will have on the battlefield.
The MWI Podcast is produced through an endowment generously funded by the West Point Class of 1974. You can listen to this episode of the podcast below, and if you aren’t already subscribed, be sure to find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode. While you’re there, please take just a moment to leave the podcast a rating or give it a review!
Image credit: Airman 1st Class Joshua Kleinholz, US Air Force