Air Force Commander explains importance of F-16s for Ukraine
Commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, explained why F-16 fighter jets are important for Ukraine.
As reported by Ukrinform, Oleschuk wrote about this on Telegram.
According to the commander, first of all, the F-16 offers the best protection for the rear regions. On average, Ukrainian air defense destroys about 75% of incoming cruise missiles and attack drones. But 25% do hit their targets. F-16s can effectively destroy them even at the borders, preventing missiles and drones from reaching Ukrainian cities.
Currently, Russian Air Force outnumbers the Ukrainian one by magnitudes, and most importantly, the invaders enjoy a technological advantage.
"The Air Force does not have enough ground and air assets to effectively protect the airspace, front-line troops, and civilians in the front-line zone from the daily terror of enemy attack aircraft and helicopters. The F-16 will allow us to gain dominance in the air, significantly weakening the enemy, saving many lives every day," Oleshchuk noted.
The enemy is increasingly using 500kg guided air bombs along the entire front line. There are signs of preparation for the mass use of 1,500 kg bombs. Russian planes do not enter the zone of destruction of Ukrainian air defense, striking remotely at the front line and near-frontline cities. Civilians are suffering in the northern, southern, and eastern regions.
"The F-16 is armed with air-to-air missiles with a range of up to 180 km. This will allow for driving enemy aircraft away from our borders and the line of contact, which minimizes the likelihood of them using guided air bombs and other air-based weapons," Oleshchuk emphasized.
He noted that the wide range of modern high-precision weapons available in F-16s will allow for high-precision strikes on Russian forces during a counteroffensive.
"It is necessary to stop the enemy offensive actions, gain air superiority, and destroy the means of equipment, ammunition, and manpower supply. The F-16 will be able to perform these tasks!" Oleshchuk emphasized.
F-16s will also help Ukraine regain control of the sea area.
"The Black Sea is still under the control of the Russian fleet. F-16s are armed with powerful anti-ship missiles that can easily drive the entire enemy fleet either to ports or to the sea bottom. Ukraine needs to ensure freedom of navigation and protection of grain corridors,” Oleshchuk said.
The available equipment and weapons available in Soviet-era aircraft turn all missions of Ukrainian pilots into mortally dangerous ones, which causes irreparable losses for Ukraine. Only modern technology will make their work effective and safe. Oleshchuk assured the public that Ukrainian pilots are prepared and motivated to learn. And they are ready to fight and train at the same time.
Now Ukraine employs 40-year-old aircraft. Some of them are twice the age of their crew. "It is becoming more and more difficult to maintain their serviceability with each day. Own stocks of spare parts are running low, while allies have none either. Many issues are dealt with through so-called "cannibalization", but this can’t last forever. Ukraine can't wait until all of its aviation is grounded. Thanks to the transfer of aircraft from Slovakia and Poland, it will be possible to restore to a certain extent the MiG-29 fleet for several air brigades, and strengthen the capabilities of fighter jets to perform current combat missions. However, to achieve air superiority and to win, we need modern aircraft!" Oleschuk emphasized.
Also, stocks of even obsolete and ineffective Soviet ammunition are depleting.
"Even with a sufficient number of serviceable warplanes and trained pilots, at a certain moment our aviation will have no more weapons left. Switching to the F-16 or another Western platform with a wide range of modern weapons is the only way out. Ukraine needs F-16s!" Oleschuk concluded.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, referring to the Air Force Command spokesman, Yuriy Ihnat, Russian invaders are now massively launching guided air bombs along the entire front line.