Posted on 05/29/2024 4:58:57 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Gen. Serhii Golubtsov, the commander of the Ukrainian air force, has said all along he needed four operational squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to have any chance of controlling the air over a single sector of the 700-mile front line of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine.
It’s taken more than a year of intensive diplomacy between Ukrainian, Norwegian, Dutch, Danish and Belgian officials, but Golubtsov is finally getting his four squadrons.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky announced Belgium would donate 30 surplus F-16s—boosting to 85 the total number of the nimble, supersonic fighters Ukraine should receive starting this summer.
That’s enough jets to sustain the Ukrainians’ F-16 training unit in Romania—currently flying 18 ex-Dutch F-16s—while also equipping the equivalent of four squadrons each with 16 jets. The three additional planes would presumably be in reserve to replace the inevitable combat losses.
The 64 front-line jets—the equivalent of a U.S. Air Force fighter wing—could achieve local air superiority, albeit temporarily, Golubtsov said last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Will be part of the Ukrainian “85 billion” bidAn will donate to Russia
We will keep sending them equipment until we are drained. Then we become easy pickings.
they burn just like the tanks.
“We will keep sending them equipment until we are drained.”
So far everything that’s been sent to Ukraine was either in long term storage or slated for disposal.
Most of the 155mm rounds came from Sierra Army Depot where they were going to be destroyed. There’s still a few million of them left.
Contract NATO pilots.
Gamechanger?
Since Russia is jamming all our GPS weapons, we will have to modify them to use gaydar instead.
Nah, no gamechanger.
Dang.... wish they’d give me one. Those would be a blast to fly.
I really don’t like seeing American weapons systems burning in Ukraine. I guess when it comes to our tanks it’s not all bad. At least we know that they can be destroyed by cheap drones. The military industrial complex needs to rethink its weapons programs. We should be happy we are finding out how vulnerable they are before using them in a real war against a country with similar capabilities.
Hope they wake up Ghost of Kiev.
Oh right, he never actually existed.
Wonder if Denys “I can fly f-16’s” Davydov was recalled home for this.
The equivalent of four squadrons of F-16s could tilt the balance of power over the front line back in Ukraine's favor—but it won't happen all at once. The F-16s are set to arrive in small batches over a period of years as more of the aging planes get overhauled—and as more Ukrainian pilots complete their training.
Which will be taken out by enemy action and pilot error by July.
I’d give them the 45% of the F-35’s that never fly.
Exactly
ransomnote:As usual, another article blowing smoke about the F-16's. As I researched just which model and one what time frame they were promised to arrive, I found articles from Spring of 2023 which said the F-16's would be delivered 'soon'. Those early promises never had much to support them because of supply chain issues, naturally.
The F-16AM's promised to the Ukraine are refurbished F-16A/B's (the latter of which ended production in 1996). They are upgraded with a kit. These are not modern 5th generation aircraft but are instead 4th generation aircraft.
Currently, Russia is flying two fighter jet models in the Ukraine which are both 4th generation as well, but Russia has more advanced aircraft to use if it believes the Ukraine's newly trained pilots are formidable against Russia's veteran pilots.
The F-16 Block 70/72, also referred to as the F-16V, is the latest and most sought-after version of the fighter – although Ukraine will receive older models. It is a fourth-generation multirole aircraft, targeted primarily at export customers.Jan 3, 2024They were 'surplus F-16's' in Belgium's military because Belgium is getting modern 5th generation aircraft:
How many F-16s does Belgium have?The largest factor in determining the F-16 handover schedule appears to be the delivery of new Lockheed F-35As, which will replace the Belgian Air Component's 51 F-16s. Brussels has committed to acquiring 34 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters from Lockheed.1 day agoThe aircraft will be delivered by 2028 as part of a 10-year security assistance deal between the two countries valued at more than $1 billion.The first of the jets will be turned over by the end of this year, according to a statement from Zelensky posted to social media site X.The Ukraine is unlikely to get Belgium's F-16's in any significant number soon, because Belgiums receipt of the 5th Generation F-16's in backlogged at the manufacturer and Lockheed intends to limit production to current facilities:
The F-16 is so popular that Lockheed Martin is currently wrestling with a backlog of 128 fighters which has likely increased to 148 soon as new deals are being finalised.
ransomnote: Below, a more technical description of the F-16A/M.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon_variants
F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU
Dutch F-16AM with four MLU IFF antennas visible in front of the canopy
In 1989 a two-year study began regarding possible mid-life upgrades for the USAF's and European Partner Air Forces' (EPAF's) Block 15 F-16A/Bs. The resulting F-16 Mid-Life Update (MLU) package was designed to upgrade the cockpit and avionics to the equivalent of that on the F-16C/D Block 50/52; add the ability to employ radar-guided air-to-air missiles; and to generally enhance the operational performance and improve the reliability, supportability and maintainability of the aircraft.[63] Key upgrades include a modular mission computer with faster data processing, an advanced IFF system that allows "BVR weapons delivery in excess of radar limits," and an improved radar—the APG-66(V)2A—with increased range and the ability to track and engage more targets.[11][64] Aircraft that received this set of upgrades were designated F-16AM or F-16BM (single-seat or dual-seat respectively).[12][65] Some sources refer to the F-16 MLU as Block 20, but the Block 20 designation was specifically used for new-production jets with upgraded jets being referred to as MLU or Block 15 MLU.[11][12][13][14][15]
Development began in May 1991 and continued until 1997; however, the USAF withdrew from the MLU program in 1992, although it did procure the modular mission computer for its Block 50/52 aircraft.[66][67]
The first of five prototype conversions flew on 28 April 1995, and the first production kits were delivered in November 1996.[68] The original plans called for the production of 553 kits (110 for Belgium, 63 for Denmark, 172 for the Netherlands, 57 for Norway, and 130 for the USAF). Final orders amounted to 325 kits (72 for Belgium, 61 for Denmark, 136 for the Netherlands, and 56 for Norway). The EPAFs re-designated the F-16A/B aircraft receiving the MLU as F-16AM/BM, respectively.'~~~~~~~
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ransomnote: Russia is flying the 4th generation SU-27 and the SU-34 in the Ukraine. If the Ukraine ever does receive enough rebuilt F-16's before they lose they war, Russia has more advanced aircfaft to fly. According to the Bulgarian military, the SU-27 has superior strike capabilities to the US F-16.
Su-27 slightly higher BVR rating – of 80% compared to F-16's 78%. One of the advantages of the Russian fighter is its armament with the R77 Vympel missile.Mar 4, 2023Su-27 strike capabilities are superior to those of the US F-16
Ransomnote: Russia's SU-34 is more on par with a US F-16 according to the article below, but 'F-16' below may mean the more modern version, not an older rebuilt version.
The F-16 can fight on par with the Su-34, but with a pilot with the right training. The F-16 is lighter, smaller, and easier to control, but it doesn't give the F-16 an advantage, because the days of machine-gun air battles at 200-500 meters are long over.Aug 3, 2023
ransomnote: Others, including Alexander Mercouris note that because the Ukraine doesn't have sufficient air defense, the F-16's given to the Ukraine would require a nwe airfield to be constructed near the Russian border. The airfield and the F-16's parked there are expected toto be easy prey for Russia's bombs and missileswhich and Russia's superior air defense.
You have been posting like that for a while, what does that mean to you?
But can they fly them?
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