Ukraine primarily needs F-16s to protect against Russian missile attacks – Ukrainian Air Force

The Ukrainian Air Force explained why Ukraine needs to get F-16 fighter jets.

According to Yuriy Ihnat, Spokesperson of the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, F-16 fighter jets are necessary for Ukraine to protect against Russian missile attacks on cities and critical infrastructure.

He stated this in an interview with Channel 24.

Fighter jets should, in particular, strengthen Ukrainian air defense.

Yuriy Ihnat emphasized that the Ukrainian Air Force should focus on a single type of multi-role combat aircraft. According to him, the F-16 is the most common aircraft of its class in the world among those that meet the needs of Ukraine.

“We primarily need this aircraft to protect against Russian terrorist missile attacks on our cities and critical infrastructure. They will become an important component of the overall anti-aircraft defense,” the Spokesperson said.

Ihnat explained that MiG and Su-type fighter jets that are currently in service with the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, cannot effectively shoot down cruise missiles and Iranian kamikaze drones.

According to him, they still occasionally manage to do this, but this is rather the exception than the rule. However, the F-16 has powerful radar and modern missiles. This will make it possible to effectively shoot down air targets.

Also, modern Western-made aircraft would be able to gain air superiority over Russian combat aircraft and strike enemy ground targets in the temporarily occupied territory. The F-16 can use modern aviation munitions – missiles, guided aerial bombs, and other weapons.

The Spokesperson of the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine added that F-16s are available in some countries that are currently upgrading to newer aircraft. However, Yuriy Ihnat emphasized that the USA must provide permission to transfer these fighter jets from any country. He added that the issue of transferring the fighter jets is not easy and requires a lot of time and a series of approvals, but, according to him, there are already certain developments.

As previously reported, US Senators from both parties press the Pentagon on transferring F-16s to Ukraine. Eight US Senators from both parties sent a letter to the Pentagon demanding clarification on what is needed to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

The senators requested Austin to provide them with assessments by the end of the week on various factors needed to successfully transfer F-16s to Ukraine. They also welcomed the assessment of the skills of Ukrainian pilots currently stationed at Tucson’s Morris Air National Guard Base, Arizona.