After months of promises from Western countries, the first F-16 fighter jets are finally expected to arrive in Ukraine. Even in small numbers, these aircraft will significantly aid the country, according to experts. However, challenges remain.
On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington last week, the Netherlands and Denmark announced that the transfer of F-16s from their inventories is already underway. This means the jets could be deployed as early as this summer.
Ukraine’s high hopes for American-made aircraft
In Kyiv, expectations for these American-produced machines are high. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently said, “You know, we’re always waiting,” and drew an interesting comparison: “It’s like how my mother used to wait for me after school, and I always found a reason to be late. It’s the same, only much more serious.”
In addition to Denmark and the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have also promised F-16 deliveries. However, the total number of promised aircraft still falls short of the 128 that Zelenskyy has stated as the minimum requirement for his country.
F-16s vs. Russian glide bombs
Military expert Gerhard Mangott from the University of Innsbruck explains that even a small number of F-16s can be significant: “They will be used to counter the air superiority that the Russian army currently has at the front line and when operating from Russian airspace. This will enable the Ukrainian army to do something against the devastating Russian glide bomb attacks.”
While Mangott emphasizes that the F-16 is not a panacea, he notes that it will make warfare more difficult for the Russians, particularly in terms of glide bomb drops.
Pressure on Russian artillery and infantry
“The aircraft used for these attacks operate from Russian airspace,” Mangott explains. “Until now, Ukraine has not been allowed to attack aircraft in Russian airspace due to Western restrictions, but with the F-16s, this will likely be permitted. This will make operations much more dangerous for the Russian air force.”
Challenges: maintenance and protection
The use of F-16 aircraft is not without complications. While the first Ukrainian pilots have already been trained abroad, Mangott estimates their number to be no more than two dozen. Training additional pilots takes about six months each.
F-16 jets are also maintenance-intensive, requiring approximately 16 hours of maintenance per flight hour. Additionally, these valuable new weapons must be well-guarded once they arrive in Ukraine, as they are prime targets for Russia.
The need for bomb-proof hangars
“The F-16s must start from Ukrainian soil. The problem is that the Russian air force has destroyed many airfields at military airports in recent months,” says Mangott. “What is definitely needed, and has already been built, are bomb-proof hangars.”
While the arrival of F-16s in Ukraine marks a significant development in the conflict, their effective deployment will require careful planning, protection, and ongoing support from Western allies.
