올 여름부터 작전에 투입될 우크라이나의 F-16

[위종민]

덴마크와 네덜란드에서 우크라이나로 F-16 이전이 진행되고 있고, 이 기체들은 여름부터 작전에 투입될 예정이라고 7월 10일 앤서니 블링큰 미 국무장관이 워싱턴 DC의 나토 포럼에서 발언했네요. 

하지만 우크라이나 공군의 F-16 조종사 양성 문제로 1년 반은 지나야 제대로 운영될 수 있을 거라는 의견이 있네요. 올해 60대가 지원될 예정이지만 올해 말까지 양성될 조종사들의 숫자는 20명이라고 합니다. 조종사:기체의 비율이 1:3인데, 이상적인 수치는 3:1에 가깝다고 하네요. 

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-16-fighters-en-route-to-ukraine

An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a combat patrol mission. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Asselta

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F-16 Fighters Now En Route to Ukraine, Operations to Start This Summer

July 10, 2024 | By Unshin Lee Harpley and Chris Gordon

Much-anticipated F-16 fighters to Ukraine have started, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed July 10 at the NATO Public Forum held in Washington, D.C.

“I’m pleased to announce that as we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands,” Blinken said. “And those jets will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression.”

While Blinken did not reveal how many fighters will be included in the initial batch, a joint statement from U.S. President Joe Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on July 10 further noted that the nations are committed to “further enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth-generation F-16 multirole aircraft.” A squadron often encompasses a dozen to two dozen aircraft, confirm‎ing Kyiv could get several dozen F-16s over the years, in line with previous public pledges from Ukrainian allies.

“This is a clear signal that Russia’s ability to terrorize Ukrainian people, cities, and communities will continue to reduce,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in a statement on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Netherlands and Denmark are in varying stages of acquiring the F-35s to replace their F-16s, with plans to deliver up to 24 and 19 F-16s, respectively. Belgium has plans to transfer 30 jets by 2028, with the first delivery by the end of this year. In a separate announcement on July 10, the Norwegian government said it would provide six F-16s, with deliveries also beginning this year.

“I am grateful to the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands for taking practical steps to achieve the goal of all Ukrainians: to strengthen the Ukrainian air force with F-16s,” Zelenskyy added in a message that also thanked Belgium and Norway for their commitments. “F-16s will also be used to bolster Ukraine’s air defense. I am confident that they will assist us in better protecting Ukrainians from brutal Russian attacks, such as this week’s strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv.“

If all the pledged F-16s arrive, Ukraine could ultimately have a fleet of 60 or more jets in the coming years. But the delivery schedule is contingent on some of the NATO nations’ getting F-35 fighters to replace their F-16s, the training progress of Ukrainian pilots and maintainers, and continued Western commitment to Ukraine’s armed forces.

“The coalition intends to support their sustainment and armament, as well as further associated training for pilots to enhance operational effectiveness,” the joint U.S.-Netherlands-Denmark statement read.

The exact timing of the jets’ touchdown in Ukraine or whether munitions will be included in the initial transfer is not publicly known. The statement cited operational security concerns for not unveiling further information.

Details on the provision of aircraft munitions and how Ukraine will base and maintain the jets have been far more murky than the plans to provide Ukraine with the F-16 airframes.

Washington has imposed restrictions on how Kyiv is allowed to employ U.S.-made weapons, such as limiting their ability to be used on Russian territory. It remains to be seen exactly what conditions the U.S. and other nations will put on Ukraine’s use of donated F-16s.

The most common air-to-air missiles used by F-16s—AIM-9 Sidewiders and AIM-120 AMRAAMs—are already in use by Ukraine as surface-to-air interceptors, and Ukraine has adapted American-provided JDAM-Extended Range guided bomb kits and AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation (HARM) missiles, as well as some European-made long-range cruise missiles, to its Soviet-era fleet. But most of those weapons are far more effective when paired with advanced targeting pods, and U.S. and its allies have struggled mightily to keep up with the demand for munitions already being used by Ukraine. It is also possible that foreign contractors could support the sustainment of F-16s in Ukraine, given the complexity of the jets.

“I anticipate that our air force capability coalition will be strengthened even further through the joining of new participants,” Zelenskyy said. “F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time. Our team continues to work in Washington to reach agreements that are strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.”

The new development follows a White House announcement July 9 that another NATO coalition will arm Ukraine with “dozens of additional tactical air defense systems.” Specifically, Biden said the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy will “provide Ukraine with equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems in the coming months.”

The strategic air defense systems include U.S., Germany, and Romania donating Patriot batteries, the Netherlands donating Patriot components, and Italy donating a SAMP-T system. Additional weapon supplies, such as NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepard systems, will follow “in the coming months,” according to a release.

NATO additionally announced new measures to enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities and deter Russia. The member nations agreed appoint a NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine, and decided on the following, according to the alliance:

• Establish the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by Allies and partners. NSATU will operate in Allied states and support Ukraine’s self-defense in line with the U.N. Charter. 
• Long-Term Security Assistance Pledge for Ukraine for the provision of military equipment, assistance, and training to support Ukraine in building a force capable of defeating Russian aggression.  Through proportional contributions, Allies will provide a minimum baseline funding of €40 billion ($43 Billion) within the next year with sustainable levels of security assistance for Ukraine to prevail.
• Establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC) to identify and apply lessons from Russia’s war against Ukraine and increase Ukraine’s interoperability with NATO.

“As Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” said Stoltenberg at a press conference on July 10. The NATO political chief added that NATO “really wants Ukraine to join, and that we are working with Ukraine to make that happen.”

https://theaviationgeekclub.com/usaf-airman-explains-why-it-will-take-another-year-and-a-half-before-ukraine-has-one-fully-operational-f-16-squadron/

• Military Aviation

USAF Airman explains why it will take another year and a half before Ukraine has one fully operational F-16 squadron

By Dario Leone

Jul 9 2024

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In this article:

• First batch of F-16s to be delivered to Kyiv this summer
• Viper impact on the battlefield
• Another year and a half before Ukraine has one fully operational F-16 squadron

First batch of F-16s to be delivered to Kyiv this summer

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib told the Belgian broadcaster RTL on May 28 that her country will supply Ukraine with 30 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft by 2028.

She added that the first of these aircraft should arrive already “by the end of the year.”

On May 28 Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Belgium on May 28 to sign a bilateral security agreement. Lahbib said that the agreement on F-16 fighter jets will be signed on the same day.

As reported by The Kyiv Independent, Belgium was among the first countries to join the coalition established in the summer of 2023 to bolster Ukraine’s Air Force. The initiative has been spearheaded by the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Besides providing several F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv, Brussels will also help with the training for Ukrainian pilots in EU countries.

The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have also pledged to supply Ukraine with dozens of US-made fourth-generation jets.

In fact, the first batch of F-16s will be delivered to Ukraine this summer the Danish Defense Ministry announced earlier this year.

Viper impact on the battlefield

But will the F-16 effectively help Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia?

Dennis Watson, former USAF Airman, explains on Quora;

‘A total of 20 Ukrainian pilots are expected to graduate F-16 flight training this year.

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. F-16CM Fighting Falcon – Wild Weasel 50th Anniversary, 2015

‘Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium alone are slated to send 60 F-16’s to Ukraine by the end of the year. That’s three airframes for every one trained pilot. The ideal ratio is almost the reverse. It would benefit Ukraine to have at least two trained pilots for every airframe, since people get tired before aircraft.

‘Unfortunately, both European and American F-16 schoolhouses are at capacity with only a few slots given to foreign pilots each year. In the case of the US, foreign pilot training is typically scheduled years in advance and the US can’t easily change its obligations to train its own pilots as well as those of allied nations. That said, Europe, the US, and defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, seem to be making every effort to adjust to the new reality.

Another year and a half before Ukraine has one fully operational F-16 squadron

‘Additionally, Ukrainian pilots must learn English with a strong emphasis on aviation and military terminology before they begin pilot training, which also takes time. They won’t gain fluency in such a short amount of time, but you can get close after about a year.’

Watson concludes;

‘What it means is that we’re still looking at another year and a half before Ukraine has even one fully operational F-16 squadron. Until then, we can’t hope to see these fighters making much more of a difference. The major hang up for Ukraine’s Air Force right now isn’t aircraft — it’s trained pilots.’

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Photo credit: Alan Wilson via Wikipedia