The first accounts of F-16 fighter jets flying in Ukrainian airspace have surfaced following the recent delivery of the aircraft from NATO allies.
Images are circulating claiming to show the jets above Ukraine; we have, however, been unable to confirm the images, but we have confirmed that the aircraft are now in Ukraine.
We also shared this image, sent to us by a usual reliable source, and have since taken it down after further checks, sorry about that.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the transfer of the US-made F-16 warplanes, set to be completed by the end of July, has met the deadline promised by NATO members for their delivery. While the initial number of jets received is small, their arrival is a crucial step in enhancing Ukraine’s defence.
Ukrainian Air Force F-16AM flying over Lviv, Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/1et2oQDnle
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) July 31, 2024
“The deadline for the transfer of the US-made warplanes was the end of this month, and it has been respected,” confirmed an anonymous source in local media in Ukraine. 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. These 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.
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.
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unfortunately that image of an F-16 over Lviv seems to be fake .
https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1818963408307224727
Ha! Yes I’d found that.
Might be an idea to land the jets in Poland unless immediately needed for operations.
Would minimise potential losses if the bad guys put in a large missile strike against a Ukraine airfield.
Effectively fly in, do the operation, fly out.
No different to Russia using airfields in Belarus for operations.
There has always been thy belief that Ukraine is doing just that – Russia knows this, if it is indeed happening, but don’t be surprised if Russia makes an example of the F16’s.
You can’t do that. Flying combat missions from a NATO country is a massive escalation. That base will be targeted.
I haven’t said that. Store the jets not immediately need for operations in Poland for maintenance etc. Fly into Ukraine refuel/bomb up – fly mission. Land back in Ukraine for as long as it takes to refuel – 15mins? Return to Poland Keep the minimum of weapons stored on Ukrainian airfields to limit destruction by Russian missile strikes Yes it will make operations more difficult/less effective but Ukraine can’t afford to take losses. Make it as hard as possible for Russia to destroy F16s. If Russia wants to attack a NATO base, bring it on. It would then allow full… Read more »
Technically you are right – what Ukraine might be doing is Laargering their Aircraft in Poland, flying to Ukrainian Airfields to Fuel and Arm, and undertaking the missions from there, to get around the implications of direct NATO involvement.
Russia wouldnt dare hit a nato country he hit ukraine because he knew nato wouldnt re-act as ukraine not part of nato
I would imaging that any jets not deployed in front line squadrons would remain in other nations until needed…very little point in sending every one of the 70+ f16s to Ukraine unless they are all immediately going to front line squadron.
Hi folks hope all is well.
Good news at last in this movement of operations. Hopefully the pilots will be safe and sound and the training I believe we gave them will pay off.
Good luck to them!!
Cheers
George
It’s great that they’ve finally got some operational F-16s now, but is it really a good idea for everyone to be broadcasting this? Seems like it’s just inviting Russian attacks on every possible Ukrainian base that could house them.
I’ve heard they’ve only got 6 Ukrainian pilots, as well. Makes me wonder if perhaps a few Western volunteer pilots might join in, too.
When F16s were mooted there were some ex US pilots who said they were up for it,who knows a foreign legion airforce?
Mercenary pilots, stranger things have happened.
Just done a quick google and surprise surprise soviet pilots flew both in Korea and Vietnam but was kept quiet so to avoid escalation! Sound familiar with the escalation bit?
The RAF had three ‘Eagle Squadrons’ of American pilots flying combat missions in 1940 before the US entered the Second World War. They were eventually transferred ‘back’ to the US 8th Army Air Force (I think in 41/42)… It’s not just the bad guys that do it.
The difference is the Americans were volunteers,the soviet pilots were serving members of the Russian airforce sent by their govt.
and of course the Flying Tigers in China.
Sorry, did not read your post before commenting. Duh. 🙄
None of the Eagle Squadron pilots were USAAF or USN personnel, all joined the RAF direct, a number refused to transfer to the USAAF and stayed with the RAF. we should also mention the Flying Tigers.
Hi Ian, fair points. There is a decent overview in ‘The Eagle Squadrons’ by Vern… someone. I’m sketchy on numbers, it’s been a few years since I’ve read it, but many were US Army Air Corp (The USAAF wasn’t formed until ’41) either active or reserve, they were allowed to rescind their commission if they could demonstrate they were accepted to join the RCAF. The RCAF was the entry route for the majority of US personnel, vice the RAF direct. It got significant enough that the USAAC had to start vetting applications to the RCAF as they were concerned about… Read more »
It was even more involved than that whole Russian units were deployed into Vietnam…infact one of the anti air batteries was so famous one of the officers received the order of Lenin and was formally recognised as an anti air missile ace….it was a well recognised and medals were awarded for US and soviet forces actively killing each other during the Cold War….it was never truely cold…I believe…200 U.S. airmen were shot down by the Soviets…they never gave 126 are considered missing and 32 died….
Interesting piece of intel Jonathan -I had no idea.
Yes this is a good quote that gives you the scale of how much US soviet confront actually went on.. “From 1965 through all of 1966 nearly all of the 48 U.S. jet aircraft shot down by SAMs over North Vietnam were downed by Soviet missile men. During the course of the air defense of North Vietnam, one Russian SAM operator, Lieutenant Vadim Petrovich Shcherbakov, was credited with destroying 11 U.S. aircraft from 20 engagements” infact its well documented that the entire north Vietnamese air defences in 1965 to 1666 were soviet anti air missile regiments moved to north Vietnam… Read more »
that’s fascinating Jonathan- thanks for posting.
In the 1988 Angolan Bush war, operation Packer and Hooper most pilots flying the Angolan migs were either Russian or Cuban. Including 2 female Russian pilots. I recall only two local Angolan pilots flew according to wire taps monitoring flight channels. Our special forces could see Minogue airfield from the clandestine hide out and gave us heads up when and what took off and then the vectors.
If I were an F-16 pilot I’d be up for that.
Sadly, I’m not.
Being a fighter pilot was my childhood dream, alas glasses and colourblind, so no chance!
Also had the childhood dream of being a fighter pilot dashed at aged 17 finding out I was shortsighted (runs in the family, should’ve seen it coming…)
Same here, except it was having the reaction speed of a three toed sloth that did it for me.
Hmmm…a New Eagle or Eagle II squadron? Willing to wager Vlad would wax apoplectic. 🤔😉😁
Evidently, the original Eagle squadrons acquitted themselves well in RAF service from 1939-1942.
The fact could not be hidden forever, the Russians would soon learn of their presence when their aircraft are suddenly being shot at.
Russia has sent pilots in the Korea & Vietnam wars, probably in the Arab-Israeli wars too. Leaving Russia to dictate the pace of the war & escalate at will costs many needless UKR lives.
The ukranian airbases have been priority targets all along fir the Russians. If they’ve struggled to neutralise the su24 fleet I doubt they’ll have. Much more luck with f16s.
Good. Shame it’s taken so long to get the right kit to UKR, albeit in limited numbers. I know Russia has been watching closely trying to target them on the ground asap, so hope that’s mitigated. Still basically a 1970s aircraft, updated.
I’d rather willing NATO air forces would’ve deployed squadrons a year or more ago & kept Russian genocide in check.
Let’s hope Ukr takes down some of the aircraft launching the missiles and FAB glide bombs
Given Russia’s air defence is so ropey that even bloody Cessnas have got past S300s and S400s, I wouldn’t be very relaxed right now if I were a Russian invader
If they fly the F16 from bases in Poland or other NATO member countries. Russia could legitimately target them on the ground with missile strikes. I wonder what the response would be and how quickly the conflict would go nuclear?
But Russia knows that doing so will invite NATO to mobilise and enter the war.
Then, instead of half a dozen F-16s, they’ll be facing hundreds. And F-22s, F-35s, Typhoons, Rafales, Gripens, F-15s, F/A-18Es, etc. Before long they’ll have lost Crimea, then Kherson, Zaphorizhizhia, and then Donestk and Lunask, and Russian forces are pushed back inside their own borders.
They know that if they use even a single nuke, it’s the end for them.
All in all, Russia stands to lose less if they just let Ukrainian F-16s operate from Polish etc airbases and continue with empty threats.
What if those Polish bases are struck “decisively” by SF teams that disappear immediately afterwards?
Similar to the targets stuck inside Russia by “Ukrainian teams” Firstly, how would NATO know who launched the attack and for what reason?
Remember, there are plenty of Russian sympathisers in Poland and probably ten times as many Ukrainian “refugees” with access to all manner of Russian equipment. It would be the highest stakes game of who did it, since Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.
What SF teams?! We’ve seen pretty conclusively that even the best-trained Russian forces are pretty dogshit, and most of their SF are dead. Those that are left are inserted into infantry units. It’s also pretty damned obvious who’d have launched such an attack. The chances of such a team getting in and out, with no casualties (or at least taking their dead with them) is pretty much zero. I’d also imagine that any NATO bases housing Ukrainian F-16s would have heightened security, which will be more competent than any Russian soldiers. It’s not so much special forces anymore, as it… Read more »
Ha ha ha. Special needs, good one.
It’s a moot point if the sleeper cells in Poland have ever been activated. Which leaves dissident/radical Ukrainian militia members, who see NATO involvement as their only hope for the future.
To be fair, the Russian’s might not have SF teams, but they do still cutlivate links to organised crime and semi-legitimate pro-russian organisations that could be mobiliesed for that kind of thing.
Sleeper cells were SOP during the Cold War. Spark up a conversation with the intelligence slime on the subject and they would drone on about it for hours! The STASI were masters of the art of infiltrating Western institutions. To either steer their activities or simply take them over. We know one KGB Colonel who served with STASI. and excelled in that very thing. Intelligence gathering, recruitment of assets and manipulation. I’d be more surprised if there were not cells ready to be mobilised for that kind of thing. There were many in the Ukrainian army prior to the 2014… Read more »
We’re not talking about Sleeper cells so much here (and even then Sleeper Cells rarely commited any sort of direct action of the kind that would be required to damage an air base). What the Russian’s are very much known for is the creation of gangs, motorcycle clubs, organised crime syndicates, and the like of varying degrees of legitimacy that have ties or are directly run by the Kremlin. An example that’s relatively easy to look up are the Night Wolves. If Russia where to want to launch plausibly deniable direct action on a NATO airbase, that’s the kind of… Read more »
Where are you getting your information from, The Times??? Ukraine are done, have been for a while.
That’s why they’re still fighting, then? Why Russia’s Kharkiv offensive has basically petered out.
Where are you getting your information from, The Kremlin?
For a country that is ‘done’ they have killed 100s of thousands of Russian troops, beaten the Black Sea Fleet, terrorised Crimea and Bolgorod, and slowly destroying their tanks, artillery and air defences. They have to give ground against the continuous stream of Russian sacrificial soldiers, but take them out as they do it. Ukraine is good at war.There is a long way to go yet. Whatever the result Russia is ‘done’ They have been shown up as rubbish at war and cannot attack another country in the next decade even if they have the heart for it. Their tank… Read more »
The Ukrainians don’t need to fly combat missions directly from Polish airfields. Stop giving into the Russian bogey man. Vlad knows he can’t afford for NATO to join in this war.
Who said Vlad would have a say in the matter?
Remember who benefits from NATO joining the war.
There are some interesting movements over Europe on ADSB currently. Tankers where they normally are not (like one flying over Denmark). It seems some maneuvers are going on.
Two points: (1.) The article refers to the General Dynamics (GD) F-16s several times. Although GD developed the a/c and produced it thru 1995, the F-16 since then has been a Lockheed-Martin product. (2.) At least 79 F-16s have/will be donated to UKR over a several year period by small NATO AFs; yet exactly zero F-16s are forecasted to be donated by Uncle Sugar. There are approximately 340 F-16s in the Boneyard, yet zero can be reconditioned/refurbished, or even salvaged for spares? Since that is illogical, there is presumably a non-intuitive geopolitical explanation. Please do not inform me Sleepy Joe… Read more »
Any A-10s mate ?
Unfortunately, at this point, A-10s do not appear to be an option. Perhaps after several additional years of stalemate in UKR, the concept will suddenly dawn on political/ military hierarchy, but frankly, am not very optimistic. 🤔🤞
TBF I do not think the A-10’s will really be much use. Both sides have had SU-25’s (the Warsaw Pact A-10) from day 1, and the environment is so hostile to aircraft that they’ve not had a huge impact on either side.
Are Su-24 and A-10C equivalent in detection and defeat of MANPADs?
I heard that A-10A to A-10C was a significant upgrade, and since Stinger, you’d expect that countermeasures would be on the USAF shopping list..
I’m assuming that S-300 and Tor would already be SEAD. missions with HARM so less threat than random MANPADs.
The SU-24 is a variable geometry bomber (think a Soviet F-111 Aardvaaaaaaaaaaaaark), and nearly extinct in Ukranian Service because it’s the only platform that can launch Storm Shadow, so already rare at the start of the war, they’ve been #1 on the VVS’s shit list. The SU-25 is a low level ground attack aircraft built around a big gun, so I’m assuming you meant to comapre the SU-25 and A-10? So the A-10C will definietly have better countermeasures, but Ukraine will not get any A-10C’s, the US only upgraded a couple hundred of them because, being an extensive upgrade, it… Read more »
Wonder if it’d be possible for a hundred or so Meteors to get misplaced in Poland?
I suspect that there are a couple of reasons for the choice of weapons support to Ukraine:
1. End of life weapons stock are cheaper to use than safely dispose
2. End of life weapons stock are already in the budget for replacement so no loss of stock
3. End of life weapons especially Export spec don’t reveal their full capabilities to the enemy
Thus sending full capability weapons is generally avoided especially when software changes are easy to do. Even export spec might give too much information about hardware to the enemy…
Lol F16 make hardly any difference. Too little too late and practically no major impact at this point. Troops on the front prefer body armour and shells. These jets will have to settle for interception of cheap drones. Usual sensational reporting again.