The first images of F-16 fighter jets flying in Ukrainian airspace have emerged following the recent delivery of the aircraft from NATO allies.

Ukraine’s new F-16 fighter jets were put on by President Zelenskyy, who said the combat jets would be of significant assistance in the fight against Russia.

“These jets are in our sky, and today you see them”, he said as two flew overhead.

In the announcement, President Zelenskyy said:

“We are now in a new phase of development for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have done a lot to transition the Ukrainian Air Force to a new aviation standard – Western combat aviation.

From the beginning of this war, we have been talking with our partners about the need to close the Ukrainian sky from Russian missiles and aircraft. We have held hundreds of meetings and negotiations to strengthen the capabilities of our aviation, air defense, and Defense Forces. We often heard the word “impossible” in response, but we made possible what was our ambition, our defense need, and now – it is a reality in our sky. F-16s in Ukraine.

We ensured this. I am proud of all our guys who are skillfully mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country. I thank our team for this result. I thank all the partners who are truly helping with the F-16s, and the first countries that accepted our request for aircraft – Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States, – and all our partners, – we value your support. I wish our Air Force and all our warriors to feel the pride of Ukrainians in our combat aviation and to bring Ukraine the combat results that will bring our victory closer – our just peace for Ukraine.”

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Ukraine is expected to receive at least 79 F-16s from nations including the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway in the coming years.

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, an American air superiority fighter, has been a long-requested addition to Ukraine’s military since the full-scale invasion by Russia began. The jets are anticipated to enhance Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, particularly in protecting population centres from ongoing Russian attacks.

“The inclusion of F-16s will challenge Russia’s dominance of the skies over the Black Sea,” stated Ukrainian Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa.

The aircraft will be equipped with advanced weapons such as the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and Raytheon’s AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, increasing their combat effectiveness.

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Ukraine’s Air Force has been preparing for the integration of these new jets through the international F-16 training coalition. Formed during the Vilnius NATO summit in July 2023, the coalition includes 14 countries dedicated to training Ukrainian pilots and technical staff.

F-16 Key Specifications

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role fighter aircraft renowned for its versatility and effectiveness in combat. Here are some of its key specifications:

  • Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F100 or General Electric F110 afterburning turbofan
  • Maximum Speed: Over 1,500 mph (Mach 2)
  • Range: Approximately 2,622 miles with drop tanks
  • Service Ceiling: 50,000 feet
  • Armament:
    • M61 Vulcan cannon
    • Up to 17,000 pounds of payload, including air-to-air missiles (e.g., AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder), air-to-ground missiles, bombs, and electronic countermeasures
  • Avionics: Advanced radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and modern cockpit displays
  • Operational Roles: Air superiority, ground attack, close air support, and reconnaissance

The F-16’s adaptability and advanced technology make it a formidable addition to any air force, it’ll be interesting to see the impact it has in Ukraine.

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George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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17 COMMENTS

  1. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the Donkeys perform against modern ish western missiles like AMRAAM given how badly they have done against older western SAM systems like Patriot.

    • I see they have old AIM 9M’s in the picture, I do wonder if the ‘X’ variant is being kept as a little surprise for the first Flanker driver that tries to mix it…

      If they are fielding the X variant, are they using helmet mounted cueing too I wonder??

      • Ukraine has also shown in a F26 graphic, that the pilots will be getting helmet mounted sights (HMS) to use with their F16s. Pretty certain AIM-9M doesn’t have lock-on after launch capability (LOAL), which came with the X version. The HMS married with LOAL will give the F16 the ability to mix it up with the Su27 series aircraft very effectively.

        • It certainly does…

          The AMRAAM will be the shooters choice of course, but if it closes to the proverbial knife fight in a phone box, the AIM9X and HMS is going to be an absolute killer…

          In BVR, the F16C’s low frontal cross section will certainly level the playing field with regard to the Su35’s better radar.

          The Su35 has a substantial frontal radar cross section, so it’s touch and go who gets the missile off first…

          I suppose the sharpest and coolest of heads and best trained, will get the shot off first.

        • Another thought, potentially, the Ukrainians can replace lost F16’s in a relatively sustainable rate, pilots aside of course.

          The Russans are really going to struggle to replace Su35’s…

          • From some publications, I have read that Ukraine may be getting up to 70 F16s. Though sadly not the latest blocks. The US have been retiring a number of their older (earlier block) F16s as newer blocks and F35As become available. Which means Ukraine has potentially a huge reserve pool, if made available!

            Russia on the other hand don’t. They do have quite a large pool of older and retired Su-27s that seem to be abandoned on airfields. Which could with time and money be recovered. But they won’t be up to the latest Su-35 standard. Other options are direct buys from China and India. With the Chinese J16 and J17 being almost direct comparisons to Su30, 33 and 35s. Then there’s India’s latest Su30 MkI, which according to India puts it in par with the Su35. Not sure if either country would sell these aircraft though!

            In some respects Ukraine could have a huge advantage with their Erieye, if it’s used sneakily. By that I mean if Ukraine pair the F16 with Erieye and the F16 operates passively and communicates via a data-link with Erieye. Where Erieye detects and tracks threats, then using the F16’s AMRAAM to engage targets.

            Erieye is an active electronically scanned (AESA) radar. So it has multiple modes of operating, including multi-beam and narrow beam. It is the narrow beam that may sway things. As its fast scan rate along with frequency hoping may get missed by Russian radar warning receivers (RWR), thereby giving a low probability of intercept (LPI). I reckon not all Russian aircraft have the latest RWR, especially aircraft such as the Su24 and Su25 that might be capable of detecting an LPI radar.

            But, the F16 must stay out of detection range of Russian fighters, AEW aircraft and ground based radars. But it is entirely feasible for Ukraine to use this combination in trapping or hunting Russian aircraft. Just a pity they don’t have more Erieyes!

          • Davey
            Seventy nine F-16s are slated for donation over a several year period. Imagine that aperiodic tranches will be delivered. Uncertain whether donors are updating a/c ro a single, standard block. The Ukrainians must develop a viable plan to protect the F-16s; certain that they will be a high priority Orc target. Eventually, the Ukrainians should be able to secure selective, temporary, local area air superiority, w/ the F-16s provided. Have no clue why US is not donating any a/c. Speculation: some hypothetical Orc red line? 🤔

          • The Ukrainians have apparently calculated that they require an operational force of ~130 F-16s. The smaller countries have led the way this far; not certain whether Uncle Sugar will step into the breach

  5. We all have to mindful that the F16s Ukraine are getting are not the golden bullet that some are perceiving. It will be very effective, but it’s unlikely to provide air superiority over Ukraine.

    For that to happen they need the latest block version of F16 along with the 120-D version of AMRAAM. Plus a lot more support from AEW. With only one Saab Erieye, I don’t believe it’s possible.

    However it will provide a step change in capability with regards to ground attack. As it has better integration with Western weapons, such as HARM. Sadly, its not integrated to carry Storm Shadow. But it can definitely carry JASSM, which has a similar performance.

  6. AIM-9Ms & AIM-120Bs, not terrible but not exactly kick-ass! I would have thought there were enough Block1 9Xs & early 120Cs to donate. Still, sound training will make a big difference, as will combat organisation. Perhaps they are “yet to arrive” etc.

    • From the donors’ perspective, the weaps would logically be donated on an oldest first basis. At some point, that inventory will be exhausted, and there will be a transition to more current variants.

    • The US has already said they are providing new build AIM-120C8’s and AIM9X. The Europeans gave the old B/M models.

  7. YES!. Excellent. This should have been done back in 2014 but, better late than never. I hope they’ve been trained for Wild Weasel sorties.

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