...and yet Ukraine’s F-16 are STILL staying clear of combat zones.
Hard to have it both ways.
Older, loaned F-16s are not F-22s or F-35s.
US maybe technically superior but what about being overwhelmed by masses of dumb bombs and missiles? Thinking of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. China has the numbers on us for quantity.
” yet Ukraine’s F-16 are STILL staying clear of combat zones. Hard to have it both ways.”
As someone who spent much of his adult life flying F16s, that comment doesn’t make sense.
The Viper is a great plane, but a 4th Generation fighter. It is not stealth, at all. As such, it would need a full SEAD contingent of stealth aircraft, support aircraft, long range anti-radiation missiles, and persistent ISR and EW support to move over enemy-held territory. Ukraine has none of that. Or at least, very little.
To top it off, they have few planes and fewer qualified pilots, making them much more valuable in the role of defense against drones, missiles, or firing stand off munitions (e.g., AMRAAMs, or potentially JSOW) from friendly airspace.
And this is a role where the Viper is doing very well.
That’s because ALL 4th gen aircraft are targets.
But F-35s are a game changer.
They could fly the entire length of the Ukraine line and not be hit by either side.