What are F-16s?
The F-16 is known as the “Fighting Falcon”. It was manufactured in 1976, under an unusual agreement to establish a consortium between the United States and manufacturers from 4 NATO countries, namely Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway . According to Flight Global’s World Air Force Directory, approximately 2,200 F-16s are currently in active service worldwide. It is used by 25 countries for air combat, ground attack and electronic warfare missions. All of these factors make it the most popular fighter aircraft, with 15% of the world’s air fleet. The F-16s participated in the American conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, during the Second Gulf War and in other defense missions in American airspace.
On the way to Ukraine
It is reported that Ukraine will not receive the oldest existing aircraft, but rather those that have undergone “mid-life upgrades”, i.e. improved avionics and software. Advisor to the Ukrainian Defense Minister, it is likely that the Netherlands will be the first country to offer these planes to Ukraine. The Netherlands currently has 24 active deployable F-16s, in addition to 18 decommissioned aircraft that can also be sent to a third party. Poland and Belgium have expressed their intention to send F-16s to Ukraine. As for Denmark and Great Britain, they will train Ukrainian pilots in the use of these planes.
The question remains, do these planes change the equation on the ground, or do they add to the other weapons that Kyiv has obtained from the West without having a decisive impact on the conflict?
Read the Latest World News Today on The Eastern Herald.
