/ world today news/ Ukrainian pilots are already learning to fly American F-16 and Swedish Gripen. There are several more models on the list of possible deliveries. What do they want to convey to VSU?
Supremacy in the air – victory on the ground
During the three weeks of the counteroffensive, Ukraine failed to achieve significant results: NATO equipment did not reach the first line of defense of the Russian troops, it was burning in the gray zone. In Kiev, the failures are explained by the superiority of Russian aviation, which destroys Western tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
The old Soviet aircraft at the disposal of the Air Force are unable to effectively counter the more modern aircraft of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense Forces.
“The MiG-29 has a visual range with its radar systems of only 60 km, and a firing range of 30 km. For example, the Su-35 has a radar visibility of more than 200 kilometers and a firing range of more than 100 kilometers, “said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov.
The air defense systems supplied by the West are not enough to cover a front of a thousand kilometers. They mainly protect objects in the rear.
Attempts to move even some of these systems closer to the front lines are fraught with great risk. In particular, in the first days of the counteroffensive, Russian troops managed to destroy the IRIS-T complex.
That is why Western planes are waiting in Kyiv. With their help, they hope to first neutralize the Russian air defense, and then gain dominance in the air.
Among the things that can be handed over to the Ukrainian troops are the American F-16, the Swedish JAS-39 “Gripen”, the European “Tornado” and “Typhoon” and the French “Mirage-2000”.
The fifty-year-old “Falcon”
The F-16 “Battle Falcon” first took to the air almost half a century ago, in February 1974. It is a multi-role fighter of the fourth generation. One of the most popular: more than 4,500 units were produced. Almost 3,000 are still in service with 25 countries.
In terms of technical characteristics, the F-16 is comparable to its peers – the MiG-29 and the Su-27. And in some respects it even surpasses them. But the more advanced Russian aircraft – the Su-35 and MiG-31 – are significantly more powerful.
The US has used the F-16 extensively in campaigns around the world. But it is also possible to defeat the Soviet S-125 air defense systems developed in 1961.
The Western media doubt that the “Battle Falcon” will change anything on the battlefield. “It is very likely a very limited possibility of survival. The ability to strike high-end heavy aircraft such as the Su-35, MiG-31 and Su-57 is limited,” writes the magazine “Military Watch”. “The air battle is likely to be one-sided and the destruction of the F-16 will significantly increase the prestige of the Russian Air Force and the defense sector,” the authors add in the publication.
However, the coalition, which includes Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the United States, has already announced its intention to transfer these fighters to Kiev. According to media reports, pilots can be trained in Great Britain, Denmark and Romania.
The unpretentious “Griffon”
The Swedish “Gripen” made its first flight 14 years later than the “Falcon” – in 1988. It was accepted into service in 1997.
Flight characteristics are similar, but JAS-39 is weaker in terms of payload and combat radius. It was conceived as a means of protecting the airspace from Russian aircraft. More ambitious tasks such as strike missions behind enemy lines are not set.
Among the advantages are comparative unpretentiousness. The “Griffon” can land on short runways and even roads, which is very suitable for Ukraine. As the manufacturers assure, it can be refueled and re-equipped in ten minutes. One technician and five recruits are enough for this.
The Swedish authorities have announced that they are starting familiarization training for Ukrainian pilots of their machine.
Not everyone is happy
The European “Mirage-2000” and “Tornado” are not highly appreciated in Kiev.
“They will not help us – I would ask all experts to refrain from these stupid comments. Compare the Mirages with the MiG-29 and everything will become clear,” Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said in March.
But the Ukrainian authorities have long been praying for the Eurofighter Typhoon. It is younger than the Mirage and Tornado, it is comparable in characteristics to the F-16 and slightly superior to the Gripen, but it is much more expensive. And harder to maintain.
But it is not in Kiev that they decide what the Armed Forces will fight with. Most likely they will give different planes. And this will create additional difficulties. After all, it is necessary to train not only pilots, but also technicians. By this time, the situation at the front may have changed significantly.
In any case – this is also recognized in the USA – the fourth generation Western aircraft are doomed not to dominate the skies over Ukraine, but to fight for survival.
Translation: V. Sergeev
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