F-16 for Ukraine: the number could be hundreds of aircraft

Recently, information appeared that Ukraine may receive its first F-16 aircraft not in March, but in the summer of this year. However, according to optimistic forecasts, we can still receive some aircraft in the spring. What Ukraine should expect, what is the situation with pilot training and how we can use these aircraft at the front - ex-test engineer of the Antonov design bureau, aviation expert Konstantin Krivolap explained on Apostrophe TV.

Judging by the latest statements, by the summer or fall of 2024 we will receive somewhere around two squadrons of F-16s. It may be a little more, but we take a standard squadron - 12 aircraft. And these are 12 pilots. Plus you need to have a supply of pilots - about 30 pilots.

Now we take how many of our pilots studied. There were reports of at least three groups of our pilots, and there may have been a fourth. But the start of the exercises was delayed, since the approval of the American exercise program occurred only in August last year. Accordingly, the standard training program for F-16 pilots ranges from 9 to 12 months, plus there are programs for a year and a half, but this is already for super aces. So, a program was developed, approved for 6 months, in which the training goals were formulated and it was more clear how everything would go. Then there was a delay in learning English - well, ok, we learned it.

Next, the first stage is general flight training without combat use. The second stage is direct combat use. And at first, pilots fly in twins in order to master working with weapons and not be distracted by the actual piloting, although the F-16 has many automated programs. The third stage is independent combat use. And first these are flights in normal visibility conditions, and then night flights using instruments, which is aerobatics.

However, even during the development of the program, it was decided that we would not go through all the missions, but would study only those that we needed to work in our airspace. And these groups that were at the exercises did just that. But we understand that we will not have two squadrons, but many more aircraft. We need to look at the production of F-35s, of which 140-142 are produced per year, but they want to reach 158. This figure indirectly means that countries that have F-16s will produce them. And this is a resource for replenishing our air forces.

According to the timing of the transfer of the F-16 to us. According to an optimistic forecast, we can still receive the first aircraft in March. But the main thing here is not fast, but good. So that we have the right modification, the right equipment. And let our pilots fly more combat missions and simple aerobatics - this will be better than any additional risks.

As for the influence of these aircraft on the front, one should not expect anything here. The turning point will be when there are a large number of missiles and after them the F-16s will follow. Everything else is nonsense. The F-16, first of all, is additional protection for our skies as an air defense system. That is, first we destroy everything on the front line with artillery and missiles, destroy the second or third line, and then logistics. Only then do the planes come, clearing the area where something is left. Only in such conditions will F-16s be effective at the front. If you launch planes first, even with good missiles, then they can become targets in this process.