Su-35s vs. F-16s: Could Western Fighter Jets Help Ukraine Win Its Skies? | WSJ

[@wsj]

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[@nomorepetrenko]

Only in bakhmut mate and no more.

[@struvrim7637]

2:47 this is not true. Ucrania already have aim-120(about one year since first deployment), but hypersonic r-37m is better than any US missiles (include aim-260). Thats why f-16 will face the same problem against su-35 as mig 29 allready have Only f-35 may be can operate in this combat envirement. But su-35 have capability againts f-35 too, all su-35 have combined L+X radar, and r-37m have very powerfull radar against stealth, so.....

[@rajaydon1893]

The su35 is not the equivalent to the f16, that would be the mig 29

[@aquilesca5tr0]

that would be in the 80s, the f16 is the equivalent of the su35 as it is the multirol jet

[@znerodarp5392]

​@@aquilesca5tr0F-15 and su-35 are more equivalent.

[@realkingtv7885]

F-16V Block 72 is far superior to any Poo 35

[@rajaydon1893]

@@realkingtv7885 no it isn't, it's literally superior in almost every way and the su35s even has a lower rcs despite its massive size

[@Robert-Edwin-House.]

@@realkingtv7885 do you know literally anything about aircraft???? If you did you wouldn't have made such a dumb statement.

[@AndyDoodle]

Just a nitpick it isn't the F-16 Raptor it is the F-16 Fighting Falcon or unofficially the Viper.

[@m.r.wiggins1537]

Facts.

[@voivode2591]

Just another self appointed non expert. I am surprised it wasn’t a picture of a F14.

[@mjj3298]

Not a nitpick, just calling out a flagrant error that a supposedly reputable news site shouldn’t be hitting. Most journalists are morons these days who can’t sufficiently research topics, and their ignorant editors aren’t capable of catching the errors

[@felixromano3091]

The su 35 is also not being used 😂😂 they don’t even have a single squadron 😂

[@afifabdullah7174]

@@felixromano3091 they have around 100 su35

[@parkerlamarbrook]

F-16 Raptor… yikes. Makes me concerned about the quality of research if you confused the F-16 with the F-22

[@Paravantos]

Nobody will give F22 s to ukraine…

[@sugoidessho]

It's typical with you tube amateurs pretending to be professional news reporters. Ditto their often misleading, erroneous or exaggerated clickbait titles. Take with a pinch of salt. UK is providing pilot training but has officially ruled out sending Typhoons because they don't have enough of them to spare (148). US has over 2000 F-16s, many sitting in the Arizona desert collecting dust. But Sleepy Uncle Joe says "no, no, no."

[@JustinTurnerman]

@paravantos only the USA has f22 raptor. Nobody else is allowed to get these aircrafts. To secretive.

[@philip6979]

Since when is the F-16 called a Raptor?

[@ruthenian.wisdom]

The F22 is called the Viper / Fighting Falcon now I guess

[@stayontarget9973]

@@ruthenian.wisdom the latest version of the F-16's are the Vipers, many upgrades, the easiest to spot are the new conforming fuel tanks added on top of the fuselage.

[@imsavage2449]

since f22 started shooting ballons

[@Zov631]

This is the peak of “journalism “ lol

[@pkmishra6763]

@@imsavage2449 😂😂

[@robanson32]

F-16 raptor? Man the JV team is really handling the content today…. Jeeesh

[@MangoFlamingo]

to fight against ukrussia

[@esterhammerfic]

🤓☝️

[@robertalan4717]

The MIG-29 is closer to the F16 being initially designed as a light weight fighter and later converted to other roles. The passive optical system on the Russia jets is not for BVR (beyond visual range) encounters but rather medium and close range.

[@jeffbenton6183]

My understanding is that the IRST *is* for BVR, but specifically "medium range" BVR. It probably won't help for using a R-37M to hit a target 100 miles out, but it is just fine for targets only 50 miles away (which is no longer within visual range, if I'm not mistaken). I agree, though, that mentioning the passive systems alongside their longest-range missiles was a bit of a mistake (so my reply to you is just a nitpick). Long range Russian missles depend on Radar to be effective.

[@coolsquad7428]

yes and it can still be detected sense it sense out radio waves as they mainly use that to combat us fighter jets stealth because the irst can only see heat off of air crafts

[@coolsquad7428]

@@CMarkem honestly its hard to tell, all of the su fighter jets from the su27 (except the su57) are basically the same plane as the su27 as the su30 is a upgraded su27 with two seats and the su33 is the carrier variant and the su34 is a tactical bomber variant and the su35 is more modern one.

[@strikerorwell9232]

They really wanna have a war with Russia? What would the US do If Mexico became a Russian allied? The US made a promise to not expand NATO to the borders of Russia in the 90s. I dont defend Putin but they have really provoked Russia so its not surprising this war started?

[@CMarkem]

@@coolsquad7428 The conards is the best way to tell, the Su27 is the only one without them of the above mentioned (except the su57).

[@dosa2990]

F-16 without runway vs Su- 35 with runway. Su-35 hands down winner.

[@Otter-Destruction]

Well... the F-16 was developed by America alone and used by a number of European partners... you're thinking F-35. The F-22 is THE Raptor, the F-16 is THE Fighting Falcon or Viper... and no the F-16 can't beat the SU 35 in a dog fight, the SU 35 was built from the ground up to brawl in a dog fight.

[@majesticface3631]

im not aware of the specifics behind the su 35 but if im not mistaken it uses a pesa radar. Assuming the US sends block 50 f16s, which also use a pesa radar, they might be pretty equal in bvr. I doubt the US will send aim 120d, maybe the aim 120c-7, which should be comparable to the r77-1

[@Wishitwastwice]

Su35 depends on 100 plus components that make it fly..all from the West.. they will become F14's like Iran sat on for 30 years

[@supervelocejota63]

@awesome guy I don’t think they would be willing to put themselves on the line either for a war that they aren’t involved in, no country would

[@stayontarget9973]

@@awesomeguy2689 only if they want to be cut off from 60% of the world's economy (the west) to help russia with their 4% of world economy. which will doom most companies.

[@jarvisb.6013]

@awesome guy India is not in the same block as Russia & China. India is a neutral country like Switzerland.

[@zartic4life]

You lost me at su-35 being the equivilant of the f-16.

[@maigepresents5840]

Yep... the mig-29 would be a near peer competitor... the SU-35 is a half gen up.

[@AvroBellow]

@@maigepresents5840 What he means is that it's a different CLASS of fighter. It's in the class of the F-15, not F-16.

[@maigepresents5840]

@@AvroBellow literally what I said...

[@lefthook2]

Man that su 35 is beautiful.

[@Kenny-oy5zi]

You mean the SU 35 Corsair lol

[@realnapster1522]

Check out the SU 34. It’s called duck wings.

[@maigepresents5840]

​@@realnapster1522the Russians call it Duckling, hellduck or platypus... the NATO designation is Fullback... no one calls it duck wings...

[@JJs_playground]

The SU-35 is an incredible looking machine.

[@robertfarmer6316]

Yeah I hate how sexy it is to me lol… I think a lot of Russian weapons look super dope tho lol

[@lowtdave]

​@Robert Farmer I'm the same way. They seem to have an eye for making weapons with all the right curves. The SU-35 is so hot though. 🔥

[@aviationaerospacechannel5987]

Being an incredible looking machine, don't makes it an amazing machine on the battlefield. Specially when the su35 only got PESA radar, against NATO AESA radars. Europeans passive sensors are the topnotch ones, without forgetting best missiles.

[@annoymouse890]

@@aviationaerospacechannel5987he flanker is an incredible dogfighting machine with its thrust vectoring and larger size

[@aviationaerospacechannel5987]

@@annoymouse890 thrust vectoring are mostly used at 90% by large size and heavy aircrafts. Simply because without it, they can't turn naturally well. Also, thrust vectoring has some weaknesses, that's why it doesn't guarantee you an upper hand on a dogfight. That's why an aircraft like the Dassault Rafale, was able to win against so many TVS (thrust vectoring system) equipped aircrafts. The most interesting fact, the Rafale don't even use a TVS, but performed better than TVS equipped aircrafts. Delta wings fighter jets, are famous for being superior in dogfights in a aviation history, it's even better when Delta wings with canards.

[@Zetler]

The SU35 can shoot at the F16 without even crossing the Russian border. This isn't the answer Ukraine is looking for.

[@whoslistening]

The F-16 can shoot down the SU35 without it crossing into Ukraine's border.

[@RAYY_WILD]

@@whoslistening nope

[@whoslistening]

@@RAYY_WILD Yep.

[@RAYY_WILD]

@@whoslistening prove it

[@whoslistening]

@@RAYY_WILD Prove the SU35 can down the F-16 before even crossing the Russian border, do you know Russian only has 93 SU35s? Russia also has 0 operation aircraft carriers to launch these from so instead they can only launch them from deep inside Russia and they never cross the border in fear of losing them.

[@JohnNjengaCOCO]

As an experienced fighter pilot. Moving a pilot from flying a Russian jet to a US design is the wrong move. It is hard to forget the previous jet but training a younger pilot on F16s would be better. But it would take a new pilot longer than 2 years to be able to fly a combat aircraft better.

[@grahamstevenson1740]

Surely with fly by wire, controlling the airframe should be a relatively easy transition, it's fighting the weapons system that will require more skill.I can't understand why it should take more than 2 months of concentrated tuition to master the differences.

[@JohnNjengaCOCO]

@@grahamstevenson1740 Easy said than done. Taking off ,flying any plane and landing is easy but when you're doing combat moves like bombing sorties and recons you need more skills

[@mvs9122]

I don't know any thing about flying but i am sure experience is very very important that comes with years of flying and practicing. It is the unique and unpredictable moments where experience comes into play. I am a surgeon and that's how surgery works.

[@JohnNjengaCOCO]

@@mvs9122 When under pressure, muscle memory comes in and that's gained after many yrs of flying.

[@natepolitics1490]

But the su 35 is a better jet no?

[@oledshwfgk3068]

Russian equivalent is the mig 29 not su35

[@nafisfuadayon6832]

Russia is not sending Mig-29

[@jarvisb.6013]

That's true but f16 has got many blocks and is still manufactured today. The mig-29 was decommissioned long ago.

[@robertmoore3982]

@@jarvisb.6013 now its the mig 35

[@nafisfuadayon6832]

@@robertmoore3982 Mig-35 is a failed project.

[@robertmoore3982]

@@nafisfuadayon6832 omg I’m dumb I meant mig 31

[@stayontarget9973]

The "Viper " is just the Most recent version of the F-16, notice the conforming fuel tanks added on the top of the fuselage, one of the most obvious mods that are easy to spot.

[@michaeld1170]

Viper was the unofficial nickname since the 80s. Those CFTs or conformal fuel tanks are not unique to the latest variant (F-16 block 70/72) even the older israeli Variants have been using them for years What makes the block 70 different is the advanced avionics, like the APG-83 AESA radar

[@kamraam1464]

You have no idea what you're talking about dude please stop. Viper has been its nickname for decades, it has nothing to do with CFTs

[@Maddog-xc2zv]

@@michaeld1170 70-72 - depending if it's a single seat or dual. also of the most relevance are the conformal fuel tanks usualy used by block 70-72 (they may also be applyed to block 50-52+, F-16 C/D, or the more advanced then the former, the block 60 sold to United Arab Emirates Air Force. 900 pounds of extra fuel without the use of hardpoints, or so it states LM's official site)

[@realnapster1522]

F16 is old and outdated. They are being hyped because US tries to sell them to friendly countries. Nobody will buy it if they are proved to be ineffective.

[@realnapster1522]

F16 will be easily shot down by Russian jets which are highly maneuverable.

[@filipvidinovski7960]

F-16 Raptor, lol. Quality journalism!

[@maigepresents5840]

He also compares the F-16 to the SU-35 and not the Mig-29 which was built to be it's near peer competition. Someone doesn't know how to Google...

[@svjetlangavranich3890]

What does air superiority mean when you're facing against the best integrated anti-aircraft defense in the world?!

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

I very much doubt that given the state of the rest of their military

[@MrRjizz]

@@kingdomofvinland8827 Russian anti-air defence was built to combat USA's air superiority. who in turn invested in stealth to counter it. 200 planes are nowhere near enough to get air superiority for ukraine

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

@@MrRjizz 200 aircraft that have nothing on par with modern western fighters. The Chinese are more on par with the us than Russia on this. namely with the j-20 which unlike the failure of the su-57 is actually stealthy. the su-57 isn’t a 5th Gen fighter. If anything it’s a 4.5 Gen at best. And on top of that the Russian air army can’t find enough fuel or spares to give their pilots the amount of flight time they need. also it baffles me that Russia’s Air Force is still a part of the army rather than it’s own branch like the usaf and most other air forces globally.

[@kingdomofvinland8827]

Air superiority means that air defense systems can be easily dismantled

[@struvrim7637]

@@kingdomofvinland8827 The first open data appeared that awacs could not detect the su-57 that operated in Ukraine, there is only a video where this aircraft destroyed the bridge with a characteristic sound of aircraft engines Probably the story about the poor stealth of the su-57 seems to be the same regular Russian disinformation as it was with the r-37 before the start of this military conflict Previously, it was thought that this was a missile against large aircraft like AWACS, but in reality it turned out that this missile shoots down maneuvering fighters very well, even if the ground effect, interference and chaffs are used to hide from the missile, and it was with this missile that most of the Ukrainian aviation was shot down The su-57 stealth data was most likely obtained by analyzing data from radar satellites and AWACS, from which expert statements were born, but most likely the Russians did the same as the Americans - they simply installed radar reflectors on these aircraft in order to distort the signature, and already in combat conditions, these reflectors were removed

[@Trener_Artem]

You should think about "F-16 vs S-300 and S-400" .

[@realkingtv7885]

Both are garbage especially S400

[@pork_eater_Z666]

​@@realkingtv7885both are cool, s400 is even cooler. Or why usa dont send it jets?

[@trim406]

Just because the F-16 was called the “Raptor” I’m calling this entire video illegitimate

[@nenadmitrovic3469]

Everyone is now expert and create YT videos to explain it to others about things they know nothing about. Or they do it for comments

[@maigepresents5840]

Not one mention of the need for AWACS to provide overwatch and target acquisition, no mention of the massive discrepancy in the number of aircraft the Ukranian air force can keep flying vs the Russians and no mention of the poor state of Ukraines airfields which most western aircraft couldn't operate from...

[@BojanPeric-kq9et]

Yet another video which badly aged. F-16s versus SAMs and SU-35 will be just like Leopard 2, Challenger 2 and Abrams against ATGMs, drones and minefields.

[@xroller5313]

F-16 vs S-500

[@f-35lightningii6]

Russia fails, Ukraine M142 himars missile hit Russia S-400 destroyed successfully and S-400 very expensive biggest fail in Ukraine.. S-400 can't security can't shoot down by Ukraine F-16, Europe Typhoon, M142 himars..

[@SomeOne-jz7cn]

why not S 800?

[@AndyMonnot]

I’m 20 seconds into this and there are already 3 factual errors

[@oscarandresfernandezaranda3975]

Spoiler alert!!! NO, and it doesn't matter if it is a su35, 34, 31, 29, 25 or 57or an alligator. Short answer, NO

[@pedromartinezdelafuente2053]

👍

[@geoffreyward2945]

The biggest problem for Western aircraft will be overcoming Russian air defence systems, as it has been since the SA2 took out Mr Powers.

[@tedzehnder961]

Well, tell that to the Israeli`s who took out targets in Syria right next door of some S400`s Easy Peasy fly some drones get a radar search, put a couple HARM`s on that missile battery then do your job with an F 16.Mr. Powers was in 1962 by the way.

[@fakered7607]

@@tedzehnder961 the s400s weren’t turned on, a s200 shot a Israeli plane down, Russia didn’t authorize the s-400 vs israel

[@teemukustila]

@@fakered7607 Ukraine has already knocked out a few S-400s, so you make it sound as if the S-400 is indestructible. It's not. F-16 absolutely dominates in the SEAD role. The challenge, of course, is if the Ukrainian pilots can be trained sufficiently for this role. Ukrainian ingenuity does seem to positively surprise all of us, as the HARM armed Ukrainian MIG-29s/SU-27s seem to do a decent job even with their severe limitations they have with the interfacing.

[@orlock20]

It depends on the response. The best case scenario is for the Ukrainians to bait the Russians into sending it's fighters within SAM range and to pull Russia's SAM launchers within artillery range of Ukrainian forces.

[@Jawzzy]

@@orlock20Many Russian SAM's are within artillery range already. That's how they are shooting down so many HIMARS rockets.

[@leonidas-my8fw]

F-16 shot down in Ukraine airspace =))

[@district5198]

What you failed to mention and I think the main reason why the west refuses to send jets is the s-400 and beyond system. Which can easily shoot these jets down.

[@liamobrien9451]

I mean, they could also send all the ordinance to destroy those s400 batteries to establish air superiority over the country, then their jets could serve much better as close air support to finally break the trench stalemate

[@derosime]

@@liamobrien9451 most of does s400 they are inside Russia and they cover also a range inside Eastern Ukraine

[@derosime]

@@liamobrien9451 inside Russia, Russia will send more missiles in Ukraine because if the western satellite do send does coordinate to Ukraine. Well for me they are really getting involved in this conflict. The rest of the world will come out more and support Russia. Is only the west and other countries are involved in this war. So far Kiev where zelenkys staying Russia hasn't bomb it and they know where it is... We don't know what Russia is planning

[@guillermoelenes4310]

@@liamobrien9451 dreams only dreams what are you a high school student?

[@liamobrien9451]

@@guillermoelenes4310 wait, are you saying that western air power can't beat s400's, or are you saying that attacking s400 batteries in Russia's borders is too escalatory?

[@WhattaFook]

The russian had a very easy job with the 1st f16. The gamechanger has backfired.

[@steve4158]

Combat aircraft are vital to Ukraine. However, jets alone won't carry the day. So many supporting assets are required to keep an air force effective. First and foremost, are pilot training and the ability to maintain the jets. I've read that approximately 15 to 17 hours of maintenance are required for each hour an F-16 flies. That's a huge logistical footprint needed for spare parts and other needs. Surveillance aircraft, such as AWACS, are vital to coordinate attacks, warn of hostile planes, and gain situational awareness. Yes, it's easy to say give Ukraine fighter jets, but the commitment behind the scenes is monumental. Like the

[@jhwheuer]

Sure, because learning a completely different fighter platform is like learning how to use a different coffee maker… yeesh

[@macakucizmama831]

Russia is afraid of aged s300 Ukraine use imagine that what would modern Russian s300 and s400 do to a western planes. Ukraine lost aviation due to Russian air defense, western jets would equally burn

[@mfromaustralia1]

An F16 would not last two minutes against the SU-35. The whole thing is being driven by Lockheed Martin in the hope of gaining more sales for its F35 joint strike fighter to replace the F-16's given to Ukraine. Which is laughable given that when they put the F16 up against the F35 in the latest war games it was the F35 that was outclassed. On top of that the Russian air to air missiles outrange the Western missiles like the AIM. The fact is the West only has a few F22 raptors (about 120 still in service) that can take on the SU-35 and they are loathe to send them in to combat in case even one F22 gets shot down and the Russians get to have a look at it. This war is as good as over and Ukraine knows it has lost. Time to negotiate.

[@Razzle_Dazzle-]

The question is: Is there any ukrainian cannon fodder left to fly the plane? They can't even handle old Soviet planes😆

[@brianhurley6289]

Best jet for Ukraine is Swedish Griffin. Its built for short landing and has very strong undercarriage.

[@coolsquad7428]

Yes its pretty cheap and good as personally the jas 39 gripen E is better then the euro fighter

[@dexterplameras3249]

Its also designed to be easier to maintain then the F16 and land on highways or unprepared fields.

[@lovableulloriaqtomeetyu]

I admire shadowblade toughest ever

[@TheRealBillBob]

Why would the Swedes give them their flagship jet?

[@dexterplameras3249]

@@TheRealBillBob They have given them the best IFV in the world why not their 4th gen aircraft?

[@B21_raider]

Su35 is an amazing machine

[@wieslawmaciag2142]

Yeah , its so amazing , That it was shot down by Stinger missile .

[@Skrency]

Yeah most maneuvarable in the world tbh i like Sukhois bit more than nato fighters

[@B21_raider]

@@wieslawmaciag2142 a f16/15/a10/fa18 e.t.c would also be shot down similarly tbh

[@ruleblocks4939]

@@wieslawmaciag2142 its an anti aircraft missile ofc it could shoot down a jet that is what it was made for every other plane would be the same.

[@ruleblocks4939]

i feel like Sukhoi planes look better lol

[@fingerprint8479]

Those will likely have the same end as the Leopards, the Chalengers, the Bradleys and the Abrahams! Have these pilots received a good training on the use of ejection seats? They will likely need this knowledge as soon as they take off!

[@MrDvdgod]

You failed to mention the most important fact. Which is Ukraine does not have the infrastructure to even launch F-16 as they require pristine runways.

[@maigepresents5840]

Yep. Those external fuel tanks only have about a foot and a half of ground clearance... they'd lose pilots to accidents on takeoff.

[@nucleicnoodles9862]

I wonder how a dogfight between Su-35 Raptor and the F-16 Flanker would go. Also, delta wing fighters such as Eurofighter Mirage and Dassault Fulcrum looks sick!

[@volodymyrv5897]

30 years, the Russian Federation used the new technologies of the West for its militarization. Bureaucratic delay will lead to the fact that in six months “ tigers ” and “leopards” will end up in a Russian “zoo”. The command of Ukraine exaggerates the losses of the occupying Russian troops in order to mislead Western partners, creating the illusion of controlling the situation. This is an illusion of peace for the west, with which the west is satisfied. Without satellite correction, pinpoint strikes on locations of deployment of Russian troops, right now, there will be no victory for the Western countries.

[@dexterplameras3249]

The turning dog fight is basically over, thrust vectoring missiles are just too good. Its all about first look first shoot capability for a BVR engagement. They train pilots how to do a turning dog fight but warn them not to get into a turning fight, this includes F22 (Raptor) Pilots. This is why the West has invested heavily in stealth and detection.

[@cmxpotato]

It depends which Block F-16. If we're talking about the latest F-16s rolling out the factory line, those have significantly superior BVR capabilities that it won't need to dogfight the Su-35.

[@notmyself2533]

West should stop being afraid of purine bluff

[@notmyself2533]

How can the war be escalated anymore Putin bombing 2 years

[@churblefurbles]

Russia's never been about air superiority, they build anti air defenses, f-16 is a 50 year old plane without a useful range in ukraine, and the military industrial complex isn't eager to have the embarassment of shot down f-16's cutting into its sales.

[@AdnanKhan-yv7pk]

"shooting 100 Russian jets". Ridiculous

[@brd4869]

I love it when non-pilot viewers give their two cents. It makes the entire circus conversation more entertaining. Flying a plane is not like driving a car. All planes use the same principle (physics wise) but not all are operated the same way. That is why pilots are TYPE-RATED. Every manufacturing company have their own principles as to how to operate their planes. Considering ukraine, ALL OF THEIR PILOTS HAVE NEVER FLOWN A LOCKHEED MARTIN jet. They have different procedures, call-outs, design philosophy, etc. No matter how great an F16 is, under the hands of an inexperienced pilot, it will become disastrous. It will take time to train ukrainian pilots and wash them out of their MIG-29 mentality.

[@vicic1]

Do not think so

[@tomagoredo]

the warmongers are going to escalate till the nukes start flying

[@anthonymorris5084]

How is *defending* a nation characterized as warmongering?

[@PortmanRd]

It doesn't matter how advanced the jet as it always comes down to the pilot.

[@sandybrown7570]

dont matter who own the jets as they can be shot down like any other jet, next some will be asking if nuclear weapons could help

[@maigepresents5840]

They had like 1700 nukes when they split away from the USSR and gave them all up...

[@Александрович-ф7щ]

Не важно какой самолёт в первую очередь играет мастерство и опыт пилота. Русских пилотов ещё ни кто не превзошёл 😊

[@3SM400FT]

this video does not contain accurate information. please be advised while watching

[@masterchinese28]

The Soviets provided jets to N. Vietnam that shot down a lot of American planes. That did not cause the Americans to escalate against the Soviets. Start training Ukrainian pilots now and don't fret over how the Russians may perceive it. If a year from now, they are still fighting then these pilots and planes will be useful. If Russiia has already lost, then we will want post-war Ukraine to have those planes for their defense. Stop hesitating over how Putin might escalate. That just gives him (and China by extension) beliefs that their nuclear deterrent is working.

[@avd1697]

F-16 raptor?!

[@Scorpio.1989]

Some people are acting like western aircraft like the US made F-16, Swedish made JAS-39 Gripen, and British, German, and Italian made Eurofighter Typhoon are a magical solution to Russia's invasion, they're not... They are fantastic aircraft, but they work best working as a team with other aircraft filling a bunch of different roles. Other aircraft like: RC-135 Rivet Joint to electronically locate and identify Russian radars EA-18G Growler to jam, suppress and destroy Russian radars E-2 Hawkeye or E-3 Sentry for long range radar coverage and command and control KC-10/KC-135 tankers to keep the plains fueled in the air for long periods of time F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, Rafales, JAS-39 Gripens, and Typhoon for air superiority and Close Air Support (CAS) All working together in unison as a well coordinated team... Ukraine doesn't have the manpower, time, or money to effectively build up an all new fully integrated Air Force, based around western doctrines...

[@maxencedesdouits4240]

And French Rafale, why is everyone acting like it doesn't exist while it's by far the best European jet fighter ?

[@maigepresents5840]

Only the gripen can feasibly operate from the poor airfields the ukranians have... the US offerings and the eurofighter just aren't built to operate from soviet Era airfields.

[@Scorpio.1989]

@@maigepresents5840 not entirely true, F-16s operates from old Soviet bases all the time with no issue…

[@travisedmonds4214]

The Su-35 isn't really similar to the F-16. I'd say it's closer to F-15ex or slightly older version. It's hard to find an analog to the F-16 as there aren't any single engined fighters in service, but I think the mig-29 is probably the closest.

[@ppvk2610]

Exactly

[@Jawzzy]

Exactly and this is exactly why Ukraine getting F-16 won't change the dynamic of the war. Regardless of what version of the AMRAAM they would get, the F-16's radar is not able to push the missile to it's maximum range. The biggest problem would still be the vast array of highly lethal Russian SAM's. The F-16 would still need to fly very low in the weeds and that dramatically limits the range of the missiles.

[@realnapster1522]

Mig 29 is much closer to F16 but it has twin engines and higher performance.

[@voidtempering8700]

​@Daniel Ordonez Thr US AWACS more than likely doesn't have the range to guide a missile from outside of Ukraine to a Russian target.

[@struvrim7637]

@@Jawzzy Ukraine has long had aim-120s, mig29s have been converted to use these missiles. But the aim-120 has no chance against the hypersonic r-37m, so Ukraine has no air victories in long-range air combat and the f-16 with the aim-120 is unlikely to change the problem in the overall lag in missile technology

[@Ojanto226]

Su 35 is not equivalent, it's far superior.

[@KD10Conqueror]

How so?

[@robertojofre15]

thats no way of de escalating this horrendous conflict

[@raymarkovich7295]

Ray Markovich 0 seconds ago There is only ONE option for Ukraine. JUST TOTAL SURRENDER!!

[@rameshg2717]

Ukraine knows that this war is not going to end in a year. Even if Russia is pushed back to the border, they can retaliate anytime. They are making maximum use of the situation to upgrade themselves. This oppertunity may never come back for them. Once government changes in USA or any other EU nations things may change rapidly.

[@mvs9122]

Ukraine, IMO, will lose most likely this year.

[@rahatahmed6188]

@@mvs9122it’s still happening, and now they’re getting f-16’s.

[@biaduy8760]

F-16 was shot down in Ukraine 26-8-2024

[@h3w45]

NO

[@chibidakis1]

F16 needs long, maintained runaways. They are easily within missile striking distance. With the Gripen, they could land on almost every road, reloaded in record time, take off and land somewhere else without the enemy knowing

[@Cars-N-Jets]

There are more Vipers than there are Griprens.

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

@@Cars-N-Jets Anybody who thinks the Russians will not destroy these F-16's on the ground, and bomb their runways, is delusional!

[@maxwalker1159]

Great

[@phil3038]

To put into context, put all the latest tech, radars and missiles in any aircraft, and it beats the SU35. If you can engage and desteoy our enemy before being detected, the platform you fly doesn't really matter

[@theconchonetwork498]

Invisible aircraft make the Russians laugh

[@puranappu8043]

Wonder how many hits it need to bring a missive balloon down!!🤪

[@fgb3126]

You just need some to fly - right?

[@natepolitics1490]

Su-35 have a 60 mile missile range and can fly faster and higher than the f16.

[@D-E-S_8559]

Russia is a massive country---defending itself is an industry in itself. Now we have had a lot of things said about their preparedness for the "special operation in Ukraine", their state of training, their state of corruption amongsts its top echelons, their state of equipment, their state of intelligence gathering etc etc etc... And rightly so, MOST of the questions posed in lay observation of the conflict may justify much of the opinions of the lay-analysts and watchers, and even be useful to those designing the narratives and those threading the messaging on western corporate media. But then, in those very same messaging we note significant shifts from the operational and tactical aspect of the analysis of the war, to messaging opinions about Wagner and its alleged mobilized convicts as news --- either way, one wonders of what significance, is the messaging on "ill-trained" conscripts, if the ground troops from the regular 5 armies are barely unutilized??? According to the western corporate messaging ---- the Ukraine is so far huffing and puffing it out against supported Wagner fighters, and they are barely doing any better than them, in that declared "meat-grinder" in the Donbas. . There are NO significant movement of troops within Russia from one military District to the West----read into that whatever you may, but Russia has a ready standby reserve of 2,000,000, question why they are starting early conscription then. So, it's easy to dismiss the kremlin on account of media driven messaging, but you just have to ask those questions, that don't seem to make sense, until you realize that BOTH SIDES ARE PLAYING THE WAITING GAME, this conflict is just taking form and shape as we speculate..

[@MxerEdits]

The Su 35 is the best 4th gen fighter nothing can beat it but the best 5th gen.

[@259559ful]

The key issue is the f16s survivability against Russian air defences will be poor thus the plane will be ineffective. Neither side has air superiority due to strong air defences on both sides.

[@realnapster1522]

Western jets are sitting ducks to long range SAMs.

[@ktm8848]

Is That a joke 😂😂😂 F-16 facing the Su-35

[@saville1712]

Nothing compares to the sukhoi series when it comes to maneuverability.

[@aquilesca5tr0]

f22

[@ВасИл-э7г]

If monuments interfere with you, if lаnguage interferes with you, if holidаys interfere with you, if the church interferes with you, if the nаmes of cities аnd streets interfere with you, then you аre building your state on someone else's territory

[@midwestern_jeepguy]

Ukrainian pilots have already been training on flight simulators & F-16s in the interior of the lower 48 states, and have been for several months now! It’s just been on the down low. Plus they pick up on new technology a lot quicker than people think. I would venture to say these guys could learn to fly that is 16 proficiently within six months.

[@clubmike2910]

ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@rootof3vil]

Are you pilot? First there are hundred diferent scenarios, which experienced pilot should know, but on new plane everything is diferent. The problem is not to understand everything what it needs to be understood, but to develop skill. Like muscle memory. It is actually more dificult for old experienced pilot to learn and be top class pilot on another plane, because all he''s fast reaction skills is based on precious plane. So he have to unlearn and learn in same time.

[@dow3639]

The rusian pilot on Sukhoy or MIG don't practice in simulators my friend..... ;)

[@taralown7023]

The US looks weak for refusing to provide aircraft to Ukraine. Had they been trained when Russia invaded in 2022, they would be in the air today.

[@DiviAugusti]

The spam in this comment section is amazing.

[@joeblack5393]

WSJ you dont even know the difference between air superiority and air supremacy.

[@operator9858]

You think they could even spell supremecy without spell check? Lol

[@RedditMan]

This feels like a prime example of the sunken cost fallacy

[@samraatbharat6325]

The equivalent of the Su 27/30/35 is the F15 and variants, the F16s equivalent is the MiG29 which is a potato that even Russia doesn't bother with. Perhaps there is the "equivalence", F16s and Su27 variants are the most widely produced and popular exports of their respective countries

[@elliottswanson9307]

Ukraine should certainly buy all the F-16s or (other combat jets) it can afford. But they shouldn't expect free.

[@richkingb01]

It's all good comparing the jets and their performance but nobody's asking the other questions to make up the full picture of what they can really do in combat. Such as which are the best air to air missiles? Which jets have the better tracking and detection systems? Which has better performance with a full loadout. There's lots to consider.

[@AvroBellow]

The best air-to-air missiles today are the Meteor and IRIS-T. Niether of those missiles can be used by American or Russian jets so who cares?

[@DDuMas]

I think the Eurofighter would be great, but the UK would likely only give Ukraine their old Tranche 1 fighters which were limited in many areas and are not as multirole capable or capable of using the Meteor. But pound for pound, the Gripen is an excellent choice in cost, performance and features. But I have no idea which version they'd get. Imo for a country like Ukraine a fleet of good Gripens would be an excellent match. I haven't got a clue about the F-16, because it's potentially very old. So depending on the version they get, it could wildly vary in features and capability. So my realistic choice would be Gripen, because the Eurofighter could be more limiting and as I said, I don't know which F-16s. My unrealistic choice if the others weren't available would actually be a fleet of Block 3 JF-17s in cost and capability. Not as good as the Gripen, but cheap enough for a large fleet. F-16-like performance (maybe not quite there), but updated features such as AESA radar and off bore-sight missiles. It's also cheap to maintain and quite easy to update and modify software I believe.

[@williamzk9083]

The Meteor is currently the best western air to air missile we have with superior range and speed due to its rocket-ramjet. The Eurofighter with the CAPTOR radar is also the best apart from the F-22.

[@DDuMas]

@@williamzk9083 I don't think early version Eurofighters can fire the Meteor though. I don't think the aircraft was adapted until Tranche 2 Block 15 I think. The CAPTOR-E radar is on the newer Tranche 3 models. Also though, the Eurofighters IRST is also one of the best. It's apparently really sensitive. That said, the Ukrainian pilots have shown what they can do with SU-27s and they're old. So they'd probably get on even with early versions of the Eurofighter. But I mentioned the other aircrafts because they're cheaper and also well featured.

[@rootof3vil]

Eurofighter will be much better and probabbly best what can Ukraine get excluding f-22 which is not on the table , obviously. But typhoon are more dificult to learn , both for the pilot , and all the crew belonging to support aircraft. Nevertless, I think combining decent abount typhoons would be big boost, mainly because of meteor missile, grippen too can carry meteor. Even several typhoons/grippens would support f-16 from behind and boost whole airpower of Ukraine.

[@rchatte100]

The lead developer of the Euro fighter is the UK, so it's quite wrong to use the EU flag to represent it.

[@donaldkrump666]

Facts.. Russian fighter jets are to powerful for those western fighter jets

[@vladanjevtic7812]

SU-35-NEXT GENERATION

[@moctezuma1341]

It's like putting fuel to fire hoping the fire will die but it will only make the fire bigger and more aggressive

[@dixonpinfold2582]

You forgot to put quotation marks around that Xi Jinping quotation.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

F22 vs Suchoy 57 !

[@samuelngugi2539]

Its a zero sum game to have aircraft because, the same tactics deployed to deny Russia air superiority will be used against Ukraine. Moreover, downing f-16 and getting some insights on it, jeopadizes the who partners operating them

[@jarvisb.6013]

Pretty sure Russia fully knows every part and working of F16. It's been there for decades.

[@samra2802]

F 16 will fall from skies like leopards did on battlefield, west knows it and wants to avoid it. This is the crux and you wasted whole 4 minutes without saying this😂😂😂

[@johndave117]

2:29 "over 60 miles" as in a range of 200 miles, why is he lying???

[@definitelyfrank9341]

You mean 200 kilometers, not miles.

[@johndave117]

@@definitelyfrank9341 no, I mean 200 miles. Look up r 37 range to immediately be corrceted. : )

[@definitelyfrank9341]

@@johndave117 Oh, I quickly and carelessly assumed he was talking about the R-77's range but yeah, 60 miles is definitely not R-37's range. That's my bad.

[@johndave117]

@@definitelyfrank9341 cool : )

[@carlosdeleon8527]

I think the F35 Tomcat would be a better option for Ukraine 😂

[@complexblackness]

Lol

[@maigepresents5840]

Umm... I think you mean the f-15 warthog? 😂

[@TenylegMinekez-uc7co]

@@maigepresents5840 A Los Angeles class f-35? 🤣

[@maigepresents5840]

@@TenylegMinekez-uc7co I prefer the typhoon class F35...

[@rajkumar-qf3fk]

EVERYTHING IS OKAY, BUT RUSSIA HAS AIR DEFENCE TOO.

[@AgentSmith911]

Target practice for S-400

[@wieslawmaciag2142]

Realy , Israel used F-16 in a role of Wild Weasel to destroy S-400 in Syria .

[@f-35lightningii6]

Russia fails, Ukraine M142 himars missile hit Russia S-400 destroyed successfully and S-400 very expensive biggest fail in Ukraine.. S-400 can't security can't shoot down by Ukraine F-16, Europe Typhoon, M142 himars..

[@SomeOne-jz7cn]

Exactly. F16s will turn all the C400 into a wreck of burned metal. Seen this before. Another russian wundervaffe that can't do anything outside of cartoons..

[@moshoodbakare1210]

How is the Su35 a competitor to the F16? They are different types of airplanes and intended for different roles. The F16 is closer to the Mig 29. They serve the same role.

[@soundknight]

You forgot the part where you had to rebuild all the Ukraine Runaways because they are so rugged and western Fighters can't handle rugged surfaces especially the F-16 with it's very close in undercarriage. It's like the modern equivalent of the me-109 plus all that debris it's going to be kicked up and ingested into the engine or utterly destroy the jet before it takes off

[@mr.priman]

Runaways has been renovated now

[@wieslawmaciag2142]

Realy , Israel used F-16 in a role of wild weasel to destroy S-400 in Syria .

[@aviationaerospacechannel5987]

@Brian Cullen : Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale, were designed to be able to land on public roads with the shortest distances of landing. The Rafale is even capable to land on unpaved roads.

[@tedzehnder961]

Have the pilots fly them out of Poland.Just don`t tell anyone.

[@DEVGRUxDELTA]

I don't know why people seem to think Ukraine does not have functional runways. It is not some sort of monumental feat to rebuild/repair a runway back into functioning order, even for something like an F-16. USAF has publicly available reports on how to go about assessing and subsequently repairing the damage on a runway, and some of the patchwork solutions can have them airworthy within 4 hours in the event of an emergency. And its not just the US and its insane logistics capability that can perform something like that. Syria had an airbase that was saturated with cruise missiles and they were able to takeoff within 24 hours. Hitting the infrastructure of an airbase like that is an effective strategy to momentarily handicap an opponents air force, and buy time for getting more friendly aircraft in the AO with limited contention from opposing air forces. Its not a permanent solution in crippling an air force. If a strategy this simple were that effective in completely negating the F-16s capabilities, it would not be the most popular fighter jet in the world.

[@strokesurvivor2367]

This is the real game changer

[@sleepyjoe7843]

That SU-35 looks sexy! 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@jesterlead]

They don't need jets, they need Apache's. Even just a battalion worth would change the front lines over night.

[@axmat3436]

Yeah…. That‘s what you think mate

[@jesterlead]

@@axmat3436 I know. I was Air Cav. :)

[@TenylegMinekez-uc7co]

🤡🤡

[@nuhaltun7554]

The year began and something is already making it better than the entire 2022. Amazons AVM23X came out and it's such a great thing no matter where you come from. Everyone can participate and it is making many things easier than they have been. For example I live in France and this is something no one else could do for me here, if I just keep sitting on my toes for the next 5 years I'd simply go broke, now I can change that.

[@Fightesst]

Why do we have this conversation after 1 year in.

[@saleez823]

😂😂😂 lets be honest..f16 cant comparate with Su 35..Russia have Su 57 too

[@spawn11]

Win against SU35 is very uphill task

[@abissuminvocat]

The new Russian R-37M air-to-air missile showed the highest combat effectiveness in the special operation - its probability of hitting targets is almost one - that is, one missile is enough for one Ukrainian military aircraft, an informed source told RIA Novosti. According to him, these missiles have been used in the special operation zone against various Ukrainian air targets from Russian Su-35S, MiG-31BM, as well as 5th generation Su-57 fighters. The maximum launch range of the R-37M, according to open data, is 300 km, the target engagement height is from 30 m to 25 km, the maximum missile flight speed is 6 speeds of sound, that is, in fact, the missile is hypersonic.

[@toddbrackett4277]

Hold on, are you sill calling your invasion a special military operation? I didn't even think that Putin was still doing that.

[@jimmytehgeek]

@@toddbrackett4277 "Invasion" "Attempt at conquest to feed sociopath's vanity" "War crimes"

[@adgroothedde5376]

STOP THIS WAR!!!!!!!! NO ONE WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!

[@andrijgonchar5010]

As an engineer, I would guess that the F16 differs from the MiG mainly in the multitude of automatic programs. But my experience of working with a computer and a smartphone suggests that programs can be mastered very quickly. To be more precise, launch already installed programs. This does not actually require education, but only a permanent mentor, a person nearby who knows how to operate. We are slaves to theory. Theory that we don't need slows down our learning. When I was taught to swim, I was not told about Archimedes' forces, but lie on the water and swim. If not the first time, then the second, third. When I was taught to ride a bicycle, I was not told about the centrifugal force, which compensates for the tilt of the body, and the handlebars to the right, tilt to the right - turn right, handlebars to the left, tilt to the left - turn to the left. I went to sambo: the coach showed and said two or three words, or even silently - that's the whole theory. If you use a reasonable, necessary amount of theory, then I believe that it will take no more than a month to retrain pilots.

[@struvrim7637]

the problem is that the f-16 does not differ from the instant29 in terms of the radar signature. Therefore, it will be impossible to fight against the su-35, the problem is the range of the missiles, the su-35 missiles are hypersonic and much more long-range than any f-16 / f-35 missiles in service

[@tpfrk8977]

You still need pilots trained to fly those jets, if they have no experience in that plane it’s worthless

[@hape4]

The Russians have the advantage of a huge connected radar network in place at the battlefield which will see the F-16 minutes after take-off until an S-400 missile intrudes its rear.

[@danielvlk140]

I do not know much about radars and recon overall, but from what I have heard, the intel is on Ukraine side, as they get info from NATO radars and such (placed in other European countries), which may be further from the area of combat, but is very effective.

[@hape4]

@@danielvlk140 The problem for Ukraine is, the radar systems of the West are not connected to equipment of Ukraine (I don't know about Himars though, Patriots are not yet there as far as I know, at least not in significant numbers). So these systems are not connected and these defense weapons work solely which complicates the effectiveness.

[@danielvlk140]

@@hape4 Complicates, yet not cancels the effect entirely. And as I have said, from what I read and watched videos on youtube, it seems that Ukrainians have better inteligence than Russians.

[@anthonymolina7416]

Su35 has thrust vectoring?

[@susboi5445]

No it has thrust vectoring