Renowned Ukrainian military expert and head of the “Come Back Alive” Foundation, Taras Chmut, has stated that F-16 fighter jets have been performing effectively in Ukraine’s defense operations.
In an interview with the defense publication “Militarnyi,” Chmut highlighted the aircraft’s successes against enemy cruise missiles and attack drones.
“There were high expectations that they [F-16s] would help in the air defense system against cruise missiles, and this works very well. It’s like having a super-fast, super-mobile air defense missile system. They are operating properly and delivering excellent results,” Chmut said.
However, Chmut acknowledged certain limitations. The F-16s provided to Ukraine lack sufficient weaponry systems to effectively engage Russian Su-34 aircraft, which deploy guided bombs from distances beyond the frontlines. These bombs have been among the most destructive weapons used against Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
These guided bombs are causing the heaviest losses for Ukrainian troops, and currently, only Patriot systems can counter them. Due to their limited availability, Patriot batteries are prioritized for protecting critical industrial and military infrastructure deep within Ukraine.
In August 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden approved the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine. While the U.S. will not directly supply the jets, NATO allies, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, have pledged a total of 79 F-16s. Ukrainian pilots and maintenance crews are undergoing intensive training in Western countries to operate the multirole fighters.