Ukraine could gain air superiority once modern F-16 fight jets arrive, air force says
Ukrainian Air Force believes that more technologically advanced Western fighter jets will be crucial for gaining air superiority, air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat has said in an interview with NV.
Ukraine needs not just F-16s, but fighter jets that will help it technologically surpass Russia in the air and allow the nation to push back the enemy's air force effectively, Ihnat said.
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"Another key point that needs to be discussed is the modernization of the F-16 aircraft,” he said.
“We must understand that an aircraft that is inferior in technical characteristics to the Russian Su-35 cannot achieve air superiority,” he said.
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“There are different F-16s — block 15/25/40, block 50/52, block 70/72 (the latest modification). Naturally, we would prefer to have more modern equipment because we need to surpass the enemy technologically."
The radar, the missile system, and the pilot are all important in a fighter jet, Ihnat said. The pilot must detect the enemy promptly, lock onto them, and launch a missile for effective destruction.
“If we have the new modernized F-16s, then the Russian Air Force will not dare to approach our borders or the line of contact where these aircraft patrol. They will understand that they will simply be destroyed. However, this also requires coordination with air defense," Ihnat said.
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