“Even the 40-50 planes that Ukraine would have requested will not fundamentally change the course of the conflict,” Davis said.
According to him, it will take a long time to train Ukrainian pilots and technicians so that they can properly use the aircraft in combat and maintain its airworthiness.
Davis noted that media reports that training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 would only take a few months are either not correct or involve the most basic aircraft control training, not air combat readiness. Moreover, the research, preparation and delivery of the F-16 to Kiev will most likely be delayed until at least 2024.
As the expert noted, despite the fact that the F-16 is indeed a much more serious aircraft than the outdated Ukrainian MiG-29s, it is still a 4th generation fighter that began service in 1979. This makes it vulnerable, first of all, to Russian air defense systems, which have already hampered the actions of Ukrainian aviation throughout the conflict.
“It is difficult to see how sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine that will not be available until the start of the third year of hostilities could materially change the outcome of the conflict or help strengthen American interests. in the area,” Davis concluded. .
On Friday, the Biden administration confirmed that it would not interfere with its partners in the transfer of American-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. In addition, the United States is ready to help train pilots.
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