Why F-16s Could Be a Game Changer for Ukraine | WSJ

Ukraine’s air force could soon have a new weapon to use against Russia in the skies: the F-16. The Biden administration’s decision to authorize the transfer of F-16 aircraft and provide pilot training to Ukraine could change the tide of the war by the year’s end. What could a stronger Ukrainian air force mean going forward?
An air force brigadier general and a Ukrainian air force spokesman describe what it will take to get Ukrainian pilots battle-ready.
0:00 Could F-16s change the war?
1:29 Ukrainian air force
3:35 The F-16 and a pilot trainer
6:09 What’s next?
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
WSJ’s latest news coverage around the 2022-2023 Russia-Ukraine conflict.
#Ukraine #F16 #WSJ

[@rwmroy]

They said the same thing about the Javelins, Drones (Bayraktar), HIMARS, and tanks. There is no wonder weapon or “game changer” that will influence the outcome of the war. It will all come down to who employs better tactics and strategy, like always

[@Wielie0305]

You are right, but is does help if you have better or more equipment than your enemy.

[@1976lucho8]

KA52

[@putler965]

HIMARS have arguably been a game changer. And while tactics will always matter, it hasn't just been tactics that allowed Ukraine to do as well as it has. Russian equipment has proven to be very poor. There is so much corruption that Russian soldiers have been wearing WWII era helmets.

[@demurch0]

​@Putler incorrect, HIMARS has had little success and it's missiles are susceptible to electronic Warfare measures that the Russians use. (GPS Smoothering) In terms of tactics, again the Russians are far superior to anything the Ukrainians and their NATO planners can achieve. You only need to take a look at all the men and the material the Ukrainian lost against the defensive lines built by the Russians. Bahkmut another example. It's now 15:1 ratio in favour for the Russians. In terms of equipment, again Russia comes out on top, their Air force is far superior with their missiles being some of the best in the world. I'm terms of their land equipment, yes, older equipment is definitely the majority being used, but why throw your expensive equipment in harms way when you are already winning with 70s era tanks and apvs? Just look at all that fancy NATO equipment blown up over the last few weeks. An old Soviet tank blows up the same a Lepeord 2 tanks does ...

[@someguywhoenjoymusic1961]

And they said Leopard will be game changer.. yeah talk that to Ka52 and mil 28 waiting for them 6 km behind the lines

[@timothy1949]

List of game changers: -Javalin -NLAW -Stinger -M777 -M109 -HIMARS -Patriot -M2 Bradley -Leopard 2 -M1 Abrams -Challenger 2 -F16 To be continue...

[@lu-bo6yh]

Yep. It changed the game by alot. Without those Ukraine would've fell by now

[@timothy1949]

@@lu-bo6yh thats great.

[@tushi9748]

how can you forget these two ? - HIMARS -small diametre bombs( GBU 39 )

[@Rambam1776]

At the very least, the West is finding out a lot about what its weapons systems are actually capable of in real combat

[@anargyroi]

The last addition will be tactical nukes.

[@raceace]

Certainly won’t be the game changer many media outlets are blurting. Just another tool in the kit. They still need more trained competent pilots, maintenance crew, effective coordination with airborne early warning, countermeasures to deal with modern Russian SAMs. Then when using the F-16 as a bomb truck sufficient ammunition supply. They won’t have numbers to make a huge dent quickly, they’ll just have Russians having to look up more often. It’s gunna be down in the mud where the real grind happens and touting the F-16s as a panacea is just plain wrong.

[@nerdyali4154]

When you only need to make a mall breach in a defensive line then anything that can dump JDAMs accurately is going to make a MASSIVE difference.

[@VajrahahaShunyata]

The russians keep moving further back with every game changer they said wouldn't make a difference. It will be much more impactful than the Himars were. Russia uses airplanes to launch missles on civilians from a safe distance. Ukraine will be able to do the same to russhist military targets. And we have all kinds of missles for them.

[@doubleOR1]

I think F16s will absolutely cause a shift in Russian strategy. They will no longer be able to fly freely. They will now fear Ukrainian skies. Ukraine will be able to gain air dominance in key territory, and strike enemy high value targets. I think this is a game changer

[@Mr.Canuck]

A very narrow minded take.

[@kreb7]

The problem is any air launch weapon is provided by west is sub optimal

[@ssrb3183]

Comments after a while: "No plane is invincible" "It's just bad tactics by Ukr pilots" "No one said F-16 is a gamechanger"

[@ton618theblackhole2]

😂😂😂 these NAFO bots are insane.

[@cinspectorblyatrussauttp4354]

Before western support Russia should have had total air superiority over Ukraine... except they didn't. This war should have been won over the course of few days back in 2022... But it wasn't. The second most powerful nation in the world.

[@gracialonignasiver6302]

@@cinspectorblyatrussauttp4354 There was never a "before western support" period. The original Ukrainian military that started the war was armed and trained by NATO. They were supported by NATO from the very beginning.

[@zde1532]

​@@cinspectorblyatrussauttp4354 You wrote this comment swiftly as if MANPADS that are easily hidden doesn't exist. US with all its might wouldn't be able to have air superiority against a proper army these days either. This isn't 1991 anymore

[@VeeSeven700]

The thing I really don't understand is the West's constant delays over every class of weapon. Ukraine could have had jets months ago if we hadn't have gone through the whole "oh we can't do that, absolutely can't do that. OK let's do that"

[@Skyhulk95]

Lol what is 10-20 F16s to over 1000 combat aircraft and heavy air defense

[@Steven-jn2cw]

@@Skyhulk95 even if we take the higher number of 20, that will make absolutely no difference at all to the outcome of this conflict except ruin NATO's reputation even more when they are all lost within the first month. Infact, I expect 50% of them to get destroyed before even firing a single shot at Russia.

[@guyyefet5804]

I'm not totally get that either, but look up one of the videos of perun, where he talks a lot about the logic behind escalation management in Ukraine

[@user-xo1jz7pp7e]

​@@Skyhulk95Russia isn't using all their fighter jets in Ukraine because they where being shot down in masses

[@grbadalamenti]

Russia will not disappear from this world, whatever Zelensky says or asks for to win this war. So, after Zelensky era ends, you can't show up with the russian and expect to do business like nothing happened. Politics goes a longer way that your haste to give anything to Ukraine.

[@HKim0072]

Flying is the easy part. Maintenance is going to be the bigger learning curve. Also, the old Migs can land anywhere and can have decentralized locations. F-16 needs a standard runway which is going to make their holding areas a big target for drone / missile attacks.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

Nope. Maintenance can be done by contractors in the short term until Ukrainians are trained.

[@aelfwynnx]

There were already F-16 flights in Ukraine

[@divoulos5758]

​@THESocialJusticeWarrior yeah it can be done except if they get drone striked every day

[@hymns4ever197]

That is why air defenses were sent in first. Protecting such airfields will be a top priority.

[@moderatelyapathetic3280]

Why do old migs not need a standard runway? They’re just that much lighter or something ?

[@supernodream]

Months back someone said similar, at that time the NATO tank was the "Game changer".

[@pedestrianrights1257]

yeah, and they said the same thing about Himars (but the Russians quickly learned how to jam the guidance signals), so now, it's useless.

[@riddhirahman]

Game changer like leopards?😂

[@VajrahahaShunyata]

No, like Himars but times 30 or more

[@Mr.Canuck]

Put the pieces together and youve answered your own foolish question. "Combined arms", read a little bit you might learn about warfare.

[@boopathib7551]

Russia is already training their pilots to counter F-16.Too late.Every country is eager to test their arms and equipment in Ukraine.

[@smh-]

yes,, once ukraine has proper airforce with ~ 100 F16 which can secure air supremacy over battlefield then leopards will make the difference

[@eddiehah9842]

Yes...eh?

[@gezalesko3813]

this game changed so many times probably one thing never changed: it is an increasingly expensive game..

[@user-zi4dg9jk9h]

begging never changes.. it changes its form thata all.

[@newname5651]

I wonder if F16s will do as well as Leopards.

[@imdamachinegun]

u mean get shotdown?😂😂😂😂😂

[@abdulmuizz4887]

​@@imdamachineguni think he was being sacarstic😂

[@ag_main]

@@imdamachinegun it was 2 of them, then we take them back to recover.

[@johnashleyhalls]

Strangely entertaining that the presentation is so circumspect about where Ukraine could get the planes. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway all are operating F-16 and all are transitioning to F-35, a fairly deep well of inventory. Along with US Air national Guard and/or storage examples from the USAF out in the dessert. Thank you for giving acurate up to date info on subjects that are so far outside of your area of expertise.

[@Mike_Genisys]

If the Russian were so assured about their air defense, they wouldn't be bothered by them.

[@alex3261]

Interesting. As an observation, the MiG-29 was designe in the same time with the F-16.

[@rogerwilco5918]

And that's why the F-16 is way better

[@alraziosmany]

I myself also guessing Mig-29 fulcrum & F-16 fighting falcon are of similar era, then how will it be that much force multiplier?

[@John-hu9qg]

​@@alraziosmany ...because it wouldn't, it would undoubtedly suffer the same fate. Its pie in the sky when you think about it.

[@rogerwilco5918]

@@alraziosmany because no F-16 has ever been shot down in air-to-air combat, by any operator.. The same cannot be said for any Russian aircraft.

[@createachanneltopost]

​@@alraziosmanyf16 have received many upgrades since their inception. As a platform they are more effective than their Russian counterparts.

[@laobanwang9257]

I think they said the same when they got leopat 2 and the challenger tanks

[@dushyantchahal2881]

Just like how Ukrainian army explained how leopard 2 will be a game changer

[@joansmith7649]

No weapon class by itself is a game changer.

[@pedestrianrights1257]

the ukrainian gov is corrupt AF. They just want money (and weapons that they can sell on the black market).

[@Jonas-rq1mi]

I don't think they will do much unfortunately

[@Mr.Canuck]

Combined arms is actually a thing, who wouldve thought? Your understanding of warfare is sorely lacking.

[@waludalu5102]

@@Mr.Canuck like how Ukraine's counteroffensive with no air support and 10 abandoned Leopards?

[@user-iz3gv5vo6b]

The F-16 is a superior aircraft and has been heavily updated. That said, it is from the same era as the MiG-29 and in fact it was introduced 5 years before the MiG-29.

[@practicalshooter6517]

The F16 is equal in many ways as the Mig29, but as stated in this video, it can carry a large supply of readily accessible weapons not available to the Ukrainian Russian build air force any longer.

[@realnapster1522]

Ukraine just won’t get enough number of aircraft to make a difference.

[@milorad3232]

Comparing aircrafts in a war where aircrafts don't shoot at each others is borderline stupidity. But it seems western bots don't have a brain :/

[@revbladez5773]

It was still more advanced than MiG-29 even if it came first. It was the first fighter with fly-by-wire, which MiG-29 does not have.

[@revbladez5773]

​@@dezertfox3681 There are easiers ways to make your subpar intelligence public. Thankfully there is a vaccine for that. Mind getting one?

[@tdb7992]

It looks like Australia is about to donate 41 F18 Super Hornets too. The USA needs to approve the transfer though, as they're American built planes.

[@jianyang6281]

no, F16 is not a game changer, same story, Leopad2A6 is not a game changer either.

[@muhammadpk3851]

tanks are easy targets

[@Keyoog]

@@muhammadpk3851 So are planes, especially for Russia's SAMs. F16 will likely end up like the tanks shot out of the sky, sad but true

[@luckypenguim99]

You are sure about that, think F-16 armed with meteors and the Tide Will Turn quick

[@azraali-ny5fv]

Peace talk is really game changer

[@joansmith7649]

Really? Russia: "Give us 1/3 of Ukraine and we will temporarily stop the killing and destruction". Ukraine: "Wow. That sounds like a very generous offer. Let's shake on it."

[@inebriatedengineering6288]

I get the point, but the F-16 is technically older than the MiG-29.

[@daveg1318]

Technically, not Technologically ;)

[@sheepman1320]

if the mig-29 were upgraded as heavily as f-16 was it would probably be of the same value

[@jonnie2bad]

@@daveg1318 Even with their older RLPK-29 radar. The Fulcrum has look down shoot down capability and the ability to snap off up to 6 active radar long range missiles on 6 different targets and then shut off it's own radar. Basically making it invisible. It in all aspects is a total badass of an airplane and can 100% go toe to toe with an F-16. Also all of Ukraines fighters got sprayed across the sky in 2 days. Notice they do their little interview in front of a mothballed plane. I'd suspect the same thing to happen to these planes were are "giving" to them. Much like the column of tanks they were given that got incinerated about a week ago.

[@sheepman1320]

​@Bernard Paul well, so what? Anything can be shot down, even an f-22 can be shot down by an artillery round. Maybe I disappoint you, but there are no invincible weapons

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

​@@daveg1318 10 F16 not game changer. But 1.000 fighter aircraft is game changer

[@shamimkhan9026]

Few weeks ago they also explained how leopard tanks will be a game changer lol

[@pedestrianrights1257]

our media & gov is constantly lying to us.

[@bigboyshit1]

It sounds like they would be.. but 4 years for the training to be completed on not just flying the aircraft, but maintaining it. Hardly plausible

[@hb1338]

The three major problems which F-16 must overcome are 1) Russian air defences in Ukraine are strong 2) Its' ground attack capability is weak, especially compared with Tornado GR4 3) Its' ability to offer close air support as part of combined arms operations is poor. It will undoubtedly improve the ability of the Ukrainian air force to operate effectively but it may not be a game changer. If the US insists that F-16s for Ukraine are supplied by European countries, then it MUST push Lockheed Martin to increase the rate at which F-35s are being delivered to those countries and others in Europe.

[@johnlefucker9323]

I wonder if they will do better than the last 15 game changers.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

The 15 game changers that did change the game. The nation with the big scary tank army had them throw turrets into space. The nation with the big scary artillery had to put the ammo 80km away.

[@jeremyjohnson2466]

1:49 "more modern aircraft such as the F-16" The F-16 is older than the MiG 29 lol.

[@Unknown-sh8kw]

What’s going to be game changer after F-16 ??? One should never fight war with borrowed weapons & money.

[@FPK___]

MIG-29 isnt a vintage aircraft the ones they have are very up to date being able to carry some of the most modern AAM's like the R77-R73

[@kaleidoskopzivota]

Yeah,it will be a game changer,a training for SU-35 which is superior over F-16 viper,even block 70/72,SU-57 especially,great chance to try 5 gen against 4.5 US multirole fighter and S-400,S-500,S-350 Vytaz and other,I can't wait :D

[@MatthewCuda]

They won’t be a game changer unless they are used properly. They have to use them to completely suppress AA and air. That will take a ton of aircraft, harm missiles and electronic warfare aircraft. Just like tanks don’t work if you drive them through minefields.

[@iblcigriga2759]

This will change the game. This will drag Europe into conflict which is exactly what USA needs. Because it is not clear where these aircraft will be based. If they land in Ukraine then Russia will strike at the airfields. But what if after completing the operation they fly to the airfields of Poland and other countries.

[@carstenrenekjrulff6272]

Denmark have atm 30 F-16's and we're going to donate them all to Ukraine as we're already in the process of getting F-35's as our multi-role fighter.

[@GhostRider-hp3te]

Just like the leopard tanks were supposed to be a game changer and now it is burning all over frontlines

[@ag_main]

And they will, but we have not even started used in massive. We will use them soon, and all of them.

[@GhostRider-hp3te]

@@ag_main all 80 of them minus a dozen already burned

[@ag_main]

@@GhostRider-hp3te Trillions, and then u wake up 😂

[@pointyposeidon]

Just like tanks were game changers right?

[@TKUA11]

Whataboutism? Great arguments. The tanks have barely been used yet, so hold your horses. No one says tanks would have been game changers, but tanks are still needed

[@adiadi5832]

Another way to scam more money...what is next?Tactical nuclear weapons?

[@Bulletproof_Media_Group]

Did Putin give you a used Ukrainian toilet, for your clueless comment, or are you a puppet for free? 😂 | #BulletproofMediaGroup

[@milorad3232]

@@TKUA11 The moment someone mentiones Whataboutism is the moment you realise how mentally limited they are :D

[@joansmith7649]

Tanks without adequate air support are roving coffins. The fact that tanks were provided without adequate air support only serves to prove that Biden is not listening to the experts.

[@Langhammar]

From Sweden, Gotland: It is with pleasure that I can tell the Swedish government, today, June 16, decided on a twelfth support package for Ukraine. The Swedish Armed Forces are tasked with orientation training for Ukrainian pilots with associated aviation technical personnel on the JAS 39. With the aim that Ukraine will operationally evaluate the JAS 39 Gripen to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense with a modern combat aircraft system. Слава Україні!

[@Alilbas]

Thank You.

[@skip123davis]

awesome! the gripen is a VERY formidable aircraft. Gott sei dank! thank you from all of us❣🙏💪🏻 i'm 🇺🇸 but we MUST stand with ukraine and stop this in its tracks before it reaches the baltics and poland. the russians will not stop otherwise.

[@Ok.ok.]

As a Canadian swedophile I am honoured that Ukraine will be getting the Gripens and I am sad that we here in Canada will not be

[@legionofthedamned157]

GO PÅ SVERIGE

[@TheRealBillBob]

Western artillery was supposed to be a game changer. So were western tanks. Now they want Western jets. What's next? Western nukes?🙄🙄

[@davidphillips8674]

I think we figured out what to do with our fleet of A 10s as well

[@mitchyoung93]

LOL, against actual air defenses?

[@abohemo9714]

But the F16 is also a Soviet era fighter

[@inzhener2007]

Australian F-18s shoud help too. Please tart training for them as well. Thank you Australia, thank you America, Dania!

[@ruunar3]

F18 would be a valuable asset to UA - a true multirole fighter with a great radar.

[@WealthyhomeboiXuan]

How many game changers are there?

[@joansmith7649]

None. Every weapon requires a system of weapons working in concert to work as designed. And that is precisely why the Ukrainians are having difficulty in winning this war.

[@christopheklinger3217]

The sooner they get those F16, the better !

[@quietus13]

A lot of ignorance in the comments and the producers of this video about the oversized effect F-16s would have. Yes they would be helpful but absolutely in no way would they be a game changer like many in the media think. The very best and most experienced Ukrainian fighter pilots, trained in legacy Soviet aircraft (very different design and doctrine), will need a year of training and experience to make any practical use out of the inevitably very limited number of F-16s Ukraine would receive. And they would need 2+ additional years beyond that to become highly effective. And F-16s by themselves are extremely vulnerable and fairly impotent at any role other than DCA without an entire suite of other aircraft and capabilities (tankers, electronic warfare, air battle management, SEAD, etc). There is so much more that makes American air power so overwhelmingly dominant than just a particular type of combat aircraft. Source: trust me bro

[@MarkM001]

We *should not* let Moscow define escalation as giving Ukraine the means to win this war! Get Ukraine *_all_* they need to win. Go Ukraine! *_Go! Go! Go!_*

[@AutonomousPlayground]

Okay, Mark. 😂

[@buildmotosykletist1987]

Australians support Ukraine with personnel carriers and training. We're very proud of our Aussie Defence Forces (ADF).

[@MarkM001]

@@buildmotosykletist1987 As you should be. Whenever and wherever this kind of things happens Australians have consistently been right there helping. Australia *always* helps.

[@buildmotosykletist1987]

@@MarkM001 : Thanks, we do what we can.

[@exiledhebrew1994]

@@MarkM001 okay fine; give them long range tactical nuclear weapons

[@NoelCoolasapollarbear]

Weren’t Himmars the game changer!?

[@sevenhelmets]

Yes they were. Within a month or two of the first HIMARS being delivered, Ukraine managed to win back large swathes of their country. Russia was forced to consolidate and pare down its ambitions, because it had to move supply bases much further back from the front line. With F-16s, that should hopefully help turn the tide even more, forcing Russia out of the country for good.

[@redwojak5182]

@@sevenhelmets sure, nobody cares about how many men it takes to win a battle. For what? So the USA can sit an watch Russia fight. If they cared about Ukrainians they would make peace, this war will last for years and the deaths will not be worth it. The ukrainan land is destroyed, polluted, filled with bodies, mines, soon radioactive. What a sad time.

[@spartanrating8210]

@@sevenhelmets The rules of the game changed the arrangements in Istanbul! Russia withdrew from Kharkov, thereby allowing Donbass not to freeze, the gas, oil, and ammonia pipeline runs there, you guys are really naive. Withdrawal from Kherson is a smart decision, with any big push of 200k the russian army, which was stretched for thousands of kilometers, would not have been able to hold the front. It wasn't because of the chimars. And because the planning of the operation was a failure, I do not know what the Kremlin hoped for, if even a fool understands that with the most optimistic estimates, the human contingent had to be 500k people for such a country, Ukrainians are the same Russians, have the same weapons 58 air defense divisions, many aircraft, many ground troops, many reserves. They have their own military-industrial complex.

[@Mr.Canuck]

russia has no way to counter the missiles nor have they knocked out one single launcher and HIMARS has readily wiped out countless thousands of russians and pieces of valuable equipment. So yeah the fact is they have been just one facet of many game changing pieces of equipment. Think past point "a" for once.

[@ebbeb9827]

yes they were

[@celioissof2943]

What I know is that there is no game changer in battlefield unless luck.

[@James-9999]

What about f-5s, f-18s, and a-10s might aswell get ppl training on those aswell

[@xy8083]

F-16 looks so cool. It’s going to be lit when it meets S400. 🍿 Hurry up yanks! This is not Iraq

[@jasontandria2166]

ah unfortunately i think it's gonna be difficult to obtain pic of f16 shot down. Giving ukrainian plenty of leeway to deny such claim

[@hypnophonz]

Looking forward to reading your subversive messages next year!

[@frants48]

Satellite & drone intelligence matter most than any weapon utilized for the counteroffensive.

[@mitchyoung93]

The Ukraine has had all that since before this phase of the conflict began.

[@Exilis]

At this point, whenever I hear "escalation/escalate", my vomit reflex is triggered.

[@jamesbissonette]

F16 is old 50 years, can someone tell me how is this equipmant still relevant and modern

[@UFO-Ark]

Gripen is the best front line jet fighter in the world. Small and easy to maintain. ❤

[@KaiMai554Rus]

Тащите уже быстрей свои ф16 в Украину , наконец-то можно будет по настоящему поохотица на ваши самолеты 😁

[@cnfuzz]

No Swedish jet was proven in combat , except the tunnan in Congo

[@ATomRileyA]

Problem with the Gripen is too much soy in the pilots they would probably not be able to use them effectively as greta would tell them they were damaging the environment so keep them grounded haha.

[@AlexRokutov]

Are you stoned?

[@PraneshSacher]

@@ATomRileyA if you are cooking at home, do you always put everything in the soup pot whatever you can find and then stir well ?

[@konstantinbush295]

Timeline of Ukraine's reaction to every weapon system: 1) We've got Javelin Wunderwaffe, now Ukraine will win! [Putin destroys Javelin] 2) We've got Bairaktar Wunderwaffe, now Ukraine will win! [Putin destroys Bairaktar] 3) We've got HIMARS Wunderwaffe, now Ukraine will win! [Putin destroys HIMARS] 4) We've got Patriot Wunderwaffe, now Ukraine will win! [Putin destroys Patriot] 5) We've got Leopard & Bradley Wunderwaffe, now Ukraine will win! [Putin destroys Leopards & Bradley's] 6) We want F-16 for the total victory of Ukraine! F-16 Will Be a Game Changer! [Putin... facepalm]

[@SCIFIguy64]

None of these have been destroyed or rendered obsolete by any significant countermeasures. Javelin is still horrifying mobiks into panicked, abandoning vehicles if they even suspect there’s one near them. Leopard was disabled, but crew egressed safely and the hull was recovered. Himars leveled a bridge, patriot shot down “””hypersonic””” missiles.

[@konstantinbush295]

@@SCIFIguy64 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@njikangclifford8259]

@@SCIFIguy64 I thought we were talking about how they changed the game! In that regard, non of the weapons you cited above changed the game exept your emotions. Russia is not Papua New Guinea who will shake in their boots when you you start rolling off those names! Bring on the F16s and they too will fall from the skies or be made into a huge burnfire and hurt your feelings even more! Looking down on Russia and Russian weaponery is not a 'game changer' either as you might be beginning to realize.

[@bobros1337]

The only thing that Putin has destroyed is probably his own country 🤣🤣

[@SCIFIguy64]

@@njikangclifford8259 idk, Russian weapon exports are being looked at with pretty dubious eyes nowadays. China is building its own gear because of this war, they don’t trust the old Soviet era equipment. Then you got the Armata, which exists “somewhere,” but likely hasn’t seen a front. Likely hasn’t seen continuous use before the 70 year old engine ate it.

[@jonathanstein5049]

Add some refurbished F-18s to the mix. Finland and Australia have surplus 18s.....I am sure the US can part with some this year.

[@PKO1918]

From Javelins and helmets to Storm Shadow rockets and F-16

[@soumyajitsingha9614]

Actually both Mig 29 and F 16 are of same era but unfortunately Mig 29 never got the frequent upgrades like F 16 Ukrainian air force could also take help of Israel and try to integrate Elta radar in to the Soviet jets and see if that turns out to be fruitful

[@aelfwynnx]

It is expensive and hopeless. It is better to send the F-16/F-18 those countries that plan to dispose of them and switch to f-35.

[@jeffbrooks8024]

So where does that place the Australian decision to provide F18s?

[@pranteranaud3617]

​@jeffbrooks8024 Austarlia ain't sending f-18s without the Americans approval. And that will never happen.

[@VajrahahaShunyata]

Its happening. We started training Ukrainian mechanics and pilots on the F15's-16's in mid 2022. We didn't say anything right away but the leaked documents already let the 'cat out of the bag'. I am an ex 68B10. Jet engine mechanic. I got out after 2 wars. My friends stayed in. They have been training them. It's happening. And they will receive hundreds of them. If Russians were wise they would go home. But its not good for Putins regime. So he will drag the whole nation down with him. And the russian people will complain and obey like they always do. They will say that they are not interested in politics and that their leaders know best. They have no concept of personal liberty. Even those against Putin want a new strongman. They see democracy as weakness. We are right to supply Ukraine with everything they need to fight off genocidal invaders. Just like we once helped the soviets. I just wish we send more and faster. We have a few thousand Cobras we just decommissioned sitting in a desert . Same with A10's and Abrams/Bradleys... Send them all. We don't need them and we already got our money out of them. Let Ukraine win. Right now we are only letting them fight on. This is costing more lifes on both sides than a decisive win. Its evil. European countries with large GDP 's are especially stingy. Stop the genocidal attempt by russhists. The Moscovites are not even sending their own children to fight. Wake up people. They have always been this way.

[@3.14name]

@@aelfwynnx nobody can “dispose” a few millions just like that

[@alanch90]

lol F-16 is even older than MiG-29

[@H3rraM4juri]

but the thing is it has been kept modern and clean and soviets at that time had the number advantage but usa had the technology advantage and also it is cheaper to make and way better

[@martinwinther6013]

Its an absurd war; one side cant attack where they want, the defending side can only attack where the enemy have invaded..

[@hanzihinterzeerz7510]

F16 training started allready a half year ago. From where i live i have seen increasing numbers of F16 flying over my garden. Wich started about a half year ago even through they were faced out by F35.

[@palar4195]

yet another gamechanger wunderwaffe, I'm so exited to see how it will perform over the ukrainian skys.

[@spartanrating8210]

Yes, about the same as everyone else...Reason A-50 Su-35 and long-range air-to-air missiles up to 300 km.

[@pingdeedee]

A single 50+ years old timer can change the tide, hard to believe.

[@ATomRileyA]

They going to drop Rambo in next

[@ndi234]

Better to keep resupply long ranged missile and air defence system as long as they can.. It's about endurance now

[@operator9858]

But they are borked already in those categories...

[@chevygiving]

Someone with a brain F-16's aint gonna be any better or worse than what they have

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

People. Maintenance can be done by contractors in the short term until Ukrainians are trained. Not an issue.

[@StPiter111]

India's SU35 won all trainning battles against American and European jets 😎 The ancient Indian MIG 21 destroyed Pakistan's F16 a few years ago in a real fight 😅 Welcome to dance♠️

[@hydrolifetech7911]

Bruuuuh! Cope and seethe!

[@StPiter111]

@@hydrolifetech7911 That's the most intelligent answer 😁😁😁

[@szh4494]

but Pakistani F-16 also shot down Indian Su-30MKI , does it mean SU-30MKI is worse than Mig-21? It all comes down to the pilots

[@danh6720]

Only a fool sets up an exercise so that they can win. That's not how you learn. And evidence of this F-16 being shot down seems to exist only in nationalistic newspapers.

[@yzmey42113]

Absolutely yes! F-16 is the new game changer! I already named my last child Bayraktar, but it didn't work out so well with that, so now we're considering to change the name to something else, we're considering to name my child F16. GAME CHANGER!

[@zipperpillow]

Good one. Maybe wait on the name change until either Putin dies of natural causes, "Natural Causes Game Changer", or Nukes scorch the Earth, "Nuke Crater game changer". Just call him "Media Hype" for now.

[@renemartin5729]

Javelins were a game changer, 777 Howitzers were a game changer, HIMARS were a game changer, longer range missiles were a game changer, Leopard tanks were a game changer... I'm detecting a pattern here.

[@dogwithanak.mp4]

@@renemartin5729 yes they all helped ukraine a lot. We all see the pattern.

[@devacore477]

You mean they were great against no defence systems 😂

[@yzmey42113]

@@devacore477 They were great against shovels - or so we thought.... maybe F16s will finally beat those shovels. I have already prepared the documents for my child's name change to F16. I am also considering to praying to icons with F16 on it, instead of Orthodox saints...

[@Thebaneo123]

Where will they take off from?

[@The-Man-Right-Chea]

NATO should have given Ukraine these jets 9 months ago and started training Ukraine pilots. Those jets would be apart of the counter offensive today if NATO wasn't scared of Putin

[@corporalJade]

The f16 has no stealth capabilities however, "it is a multi role fighter, with long range radar upgraded system, and is highly maneuverable tactical fighter that has proven itself in air to air combat, and air to surface attack. "Able to target at low ground flying levels in all weather conditions' even with cloudy non visual targets on ground clutter, it provides relatively a low-cost, high performance weapons system for the United States and Allied nations..."Ukraine"....

[@teddypicker8799]

The reason the f-16 will be so good for Ukraine is that its so common as are missiles designed to be fired from it. Those HARM missiles for example Ukraine is using now are not nearly as effective as it will be on F-16

[@divoulos5758]

​@Teddy Picker and from where is it going to take off and land? From bombed runways? Many of the soviet aircraft could take off and land from roads or even fields but f16s weren't designed for this

[@teddypicker8799]

@@divoulos5758 I would assume Ukraine would use them from Kyiv airports utilising the ridiculous anti air and electronic warfare capabilities there. Syrias Shayrat aiport was repaired and sending jets into the air within 24 hours of USA cruise missiles bombardments

[@SighNaps]

@@divoulos5758 While a proper runway is obviously the best way to use F-16s to get the best results, it isn't true that they can't land on roads. Taiwan had F-16's take off from and land on a stretch of rural highway at the most recent porcupine games as a demonstration that destruction of it's air strips would not prevent it from using it's aircraft. Singapore has also landed F-15s and F-16s on an asphalt road to demonstrate that they can operate the jets lacking a proper runway. Fields would likely be a different story. Luckily a fully loaded F-16 has an operational range of 575 miles without needing refueling. That gives Ukraine plenty of room to work with in choosing locations that are more difficult for Russia to continuously keep unusable.

[@firasajoury7813]

@@teddypicker8799 bro Russia has further more effective and complex a2/ad networks deep strike capabilities and British think tanks admitted a very effective and constantly improving EW and EC capabilities not mentioning far better bvr capabilities awacs stop being delusional if anything it’s dangerous to keep sending western equipment to Ukraine like that without a proper plan and endgame they keep loosing their equipments and embarrassing the countries supporting them like the last week carnage of lost western equipments

[@miroslavbogosavac6400]

So where are those plains? Anyone?

[@timrorabaugh9874]

The war between Ukraine and Russia could be over before the first F16 arrives in Ukraine

[@renemartin5729]

Javelins were a game changer, 777 Howitzers were a game changer, HIMARS were a game changer, longer range missiles were a game changer, Leopard tanks were a game changer... I'm detecting a pattern here.

[@ludwigneigl891]

Javelins took big part in stoping the amoured columns in the early days of the war. When russia changed tactic to fire supremacy, ukraine needed artillery to counter them and to take back the country they need tanks, airplanes and all kind of offensive weapons. U right. There is a pattern. This is a war and both want to win. So both sides will pull one ace after the other out their sleeves. The west should take it serious and send all they have.

[@mightymike1256]

But they were. Himars rockets obliterated huge Russian ammo depots in Eastern Ukraine. Russia used a tactic called "a wall of fire" (intensive shelling) to capture Siverodonetsk/Lysychansk towns back in June 2022. Now they can't use that tactic anymore. Russians were forced to retreat from Kherson in October 2022 because Himars rockets damaged the bridge across the Dnipro river. Capturing the town of Bakhmut (70K residents before the war) took them 9 months.

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

My prayer is that f-16s will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible...to start with... 🇧🇪 and 🇩🇰 have voiced their willingness to train and transfer... God bless.

[@genickAtgmail]

Yes I agree with you we have to help the Nazi in Ukraine.

[@ryry8390]

At 6:18 are those aim 9bs on the f16 ( for people who don't know what an aim 9b is it is the first sidewinder put into combat by the U.S.

[@H3rraM4juri]

and the thing is russia is gonna need those aircraft for defensive actions too so they cannot use everything they have

[@LiveGoDaYDaYs]

Russian shovel > F-16

[@user-nu1wp4pw9o]

I don't think people give Zelensky enough credit for meeting with the U.S. president in the white house and not wearing a suit. That's ballsy. Like going to a tango dance in cargo pants.

[@tempestandacomputer6951]

Frankly, its an overused shtick they loved at the start of the war cause it made Zelensky appear more relatable. I think its gotten old and definitely just looks sloppy. Cringe media campaign.

[@esbenm6544]

@@tempestandacomputer6951 cry👶

[@joansmith7649]

@@tempestandacomputer6951 On the contrary. Unlike our US Presidents that don't get dirty and dodge the draft, Zelensky is one of the troops and is leading by example. When fighting for the survival of your country, there's no time for pleasantries and fine haberdashery.

[@ATomRileyA]

@@joansmith7649 What are you on about zelensky has been hiding in europe most of the time, begging to save his own life he is going to end up going out like hitler did. They even gifted him loads of different pistols so he has a choice of which one to use on himself lol.

[@joansmith7649]

@@ATomRileyA Why are you trolling and disseminating lies. What's the point? Why not contribute something constructive to this discussion?

[@Retroscoop]

3:49 Also equiped with two formidable speed brakes :)))

[@chillxxx241]

I flew the T-37 for flight training. Could they be converted to A-37s? I don’t think the US even uses them anymore.

[@nerd26373]

This channel has always been the best since the beginning. The news coverage on here is spot on.

[@garythomas4936]

No. What you get here is the same pre-approved U.S./West propaganda. If you want to actually learn the truth what Colonel Douglas Macgregor.

[@pingdeedee]

Haha

[@alexlazar4738]

WSJ, New York Times and most of the US media houses are just stenographers for the State department and the CIA. Trust their reports at your own peril.

[@ATomRileyA]

This is fake news central lol

[@ramal5708]

From what I see Russia has 10x more aircraft in their Air Force compared to Ukraine, adding like 30 F-16s plus parts, maintenance & pilot training and munitions would probably not going to even the odds, numerically, in terms of skill and capability they would need to be tested in real life, who knows probably one F-16 could shoot down 4 Russian jets in a single 4 AMRAAMs shot. Also the F-16 Ukraine would got are going to be MLU F-16s from late 90s or early 2000s that were upgraded with latest avionics, but in terms of fuselage or hull the aircraft is like 30 years old.

[@firasajoury7813]

Stop living in a bubble those f16s would probably be destroyed heavily by deep strike actions like missile onslaughts or even using loitered munitions in a embarrassing way like the russkies already did to many western defense systems like british stormers and entire German iris t systems heck even patriots batteries were destroyed by saturation or if they survive and can operate properly then will they survive the improving Russian electronic warfare capabilities which British Think tanks admitted to their effectiveness and constant improvement in downing drones jamming even western smart bombs and ruining entire communication lines either through jamming or spoofing not mentioning this isn’t the rag tag third rate army operating export semi hand me downs Soviet equipment with undertrained pilots its Russian operators with their own capable bvr capabilities complex a2/ad systems and even at tactical and operational level form of local aerial supremacy not always but usually it’s contested on the strategic level but things are changing quickly and bunch of f16s isn’t gonna change the tide

[@firasajoury7813]

Russians have bvr capabilities sead operation capabilities heck with even cheaper methods of loitered munitions and electronic warfare Russians also have extreme complex and capable a2/ad networks and posses awacs and have advantages in deep strike capabilities

[@Djamonja]

@@firasajoury7813 They've had all that since the start of the war and still don't control the skies over Ukraine.

[@kevinw4267]

Some how Russia is only doing defensive action in Ukraine. Sometimes I wonder who’s invading who?

[@elitex50]

What are you guys smoking? Half Ukraine bombed back to the Stone Age with partial military and mercenaries only 🤣🤣

[@kbonh22]

The F16 is older than both the MIG 29 and SU 27

[@mrmakhno3030]

The last time they use this word for a combat vehicle, it didn't go well. Anw Russian aces are thristy to try another drink.Falcon blood is good.

[@konachan01]

It is kind of ironic. Russia invaded Ukraine on the pretense to demilitarize Ukraine. Ended up having Ukraine increasing its military capabilities by a immense amount, and having Ukraine be more known to the world abroad.

[@alekseiepishev2161]

and the West keps sending weapons to Ukraine, I am just wondering what would happen to all these weapon after the war and how much of it would end up on a black market in Europe

[@BG-ub5og]

​@alekseiepishev2161 they are already in mexico l😂

[@Avaricumstudios]

​@@alekseiepishev2161they'll end up in Africa

[@ahm848]

Ukraine will end as a destroy country that will a big financial problem for west also with flood of migrant but don't wary usa will not pay there bill like they not pay in Iraq and afghanistan

[@niume7468]

@@BG-ub5og Lol that was not Javelin it was AT4 :D. You really do easily fall for ruzzian propoganda.

[@bluemystic5980]

india too has mig 29s,both f16 and mig 29 were designed around the same time but f16 kept getting superior upgrades.indian mig29 are also upgraded to UPG standards

[@nightsparrow4722]

F-16 is us technology buddy...mig 29 is nothing in front of it...russian technology sucks..we already watched it

[@bluemystic5980]

@@nightsparrow4722 i know nut we cant confirm itas of yet we are yet to see a proper f-16 vs mig29/su-30 dogfight happening this conflict will play ani interesting scenario

[@chevygiving]

@@nightsparrow4722 very narrow minded considering ukrainian pilots in the past have said su-27 was a better aircraft than the f-16 they flew (WHICH BTW can be found with a quick search which will trigger you once you find this information considering how narrow minded your comment was)

[@boikanyoonneng9170]

@@nightsparrow4722 You mean the same Russian tech that took your famous Stealth aircraft (F-117) and put it in a Serbian museum?

[@mugenseiki9678]

​@@boikanyoonneng9170It's not easy to shoot f117 my friend, you need a reliable operator to shoot f117 and wait for the f117 pilot to fall asleep. Thousands of bombs have been thrown from the f117 compared to 1x shooting down the f117.

[@bonvoyage5377]

But this is old news/info, it adds nothing new, what is the point?? clickbait

[@olegvegan]

I've lost count. Is it the 4th game changer? Or the 5th?

[@Mr.Canuck]

Its a fairly simple concept for most people....add them up. Combined arms, how wars are won.

[@redsun9261]

@@Mr.Canuck ridiculous cope

[@anneslot7013]

List of game changers: -Javalin -NLAW -Stinger -M777 -M109 -HIMARS -Patriot -M2 Bradley -Leopard 2 -M1 Abrams -Challenger 2 -F16 I apologize right away if I missed some

[@ansonang7810]

Soviet anti air were designed to bring F16 down but weren't designed for HMars or drones so Russia have a hard time shooting those down. They have stockpiles soviet anti air of it in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus eastern Europe. F16 wouldn't change anything. F35 have better impact but i think same.

[@elitex50]

Bro what are you smoking? Bath salts?

[@realnapster1522]

Even F35 can’t do much. It’s very vulnerable to S400 and 500.

[@fourshore502]

soviet? soviet ended in 1991 lol. you dont think they have designed new things since then? like the s-400 for example.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

@@realnapster1522 Israel flew F-35s over Iran. The US struck targets in Syria protected by Syrian S-300 and Russian S-400s with B-1s.

[@seangelarden9543]

We're going to see how migs contend with a peer adversary

[@JJKillerElite]

F16s also supplemented with American AWACS should have around 60 by next year

[@MarkM001]

I didn't here any mention of another of the benefits of the F-16. There are thousands of pilots in the world trained to fly the jet...I would guess that some of them might be learning Ukrainian.

[@Steven-jn2cw]

Or learning Russian to say "please, don't shoot me!"

[@MarkM001]

@@Steven-jn2cw *_If_* there were enough pilots from _my_ country in enough of those jets with the right ordinance under their wings there wouldn't be any "Russian" AA to shoot with.

[@Steven-jn2cw]

@@MarkM001 the keyword there being "if".

[@MarkM001]

And that is why the word is in bold italics. But the if is possible, the pilots do exist.

[@samhull8382]

@@MarkM001 ...Russia won't like Nato F-16's flown by Nato pilots killing Russian soldiers.

[@Steven-jn2cw]

"We will do whatever it takes to ensure a Ukrainian victory!" **Sends sixteen 50 year old F16s to Ukraine**

[@H3rraM4juri]

these what they are sending are way modern then russia have and is overall better against russian jets

[@Steven-jn2cw]

@@H3rraM4juri No, they are not.

[@bobo-_-]

@@H3rraM4juri what block f16 are they sending

[@ATomRileyA]

@@bobo-_- Ghost of Kiev 2.0 block lol

[@kennedyjames007]

Profiting from war and conflict, win lose or draw, is a crime against humanity.

[@MajSolo]

learning the jet, if you do it full time, 2 months tops. But give them 2 more months and teach them everything. They probably have time to learn how to dogfight in it which they probably will not do in Ukraine the jets of both sides will probably not meet cause they might get shot down by SAMs as they approach each other. So as an extra course they can teach how to dogfight with F16, F16 needs a little bit of airspeed but then it actually is flying efficient good turn rate , probably nose to tail, but is suspect the optimum turning speed is a narrow range, and the F16 is small which helps the enemy might loose sight of it. If I remember right then F16s might in the old days be flying at 24K - 28K. F15s is flying barn door with huge surface so they like to be 32K and up cause they still can make decent turns in that thin atmosphere. And A10s at 20K? At 18K and below AAA can have effect.

[@mikedelta4346]

UA Air Force could make veeery good use of AT-29 Super Tucano on close air support. It's a great aircraft, a lot simpler, easier to fly and cheaper than F-16s.

[@quietus13]

Agreed, pump those out in large numbers, and that would make much much much more impact than a limited number of F-16s for the same cost

[@dena5498]

I think this is demilitarization of the USA 🤣

[@markheithaus]

I just don't understand why it's been so slow getting to this point

[@CIS101]

I was aware that the F-16 is a Cold War era weapons system, and has been updated, but are any being produced ? I guess not. Well the video did a good job of explaining why it was selected for this conflict.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

They're still being produced, the F-16V. It's the most modern and it's pretty expensive because the full package includes all the electronics and weapons.

[@chriskerwin3904]

Countries that can't afford the F-35 or aren't allowed to buy them are buying very capable new F-16. With updated avionics , targeting pods and conformal fuel tanks it's a nice tactical bomber.

[@djordjelezajic8435]

Maybe with F-16 , NATO with the help of Ukrainian volunteers will be able to breach the first line of Russian defense .So far, in the last two weeks, since the counter offensive started ,NATO was not very successful, while 2 Leopards were captured and are in Russia under the care of GRU.

[@wilfredomontuerto4573]

It might appear that the F22s, F35s together with the Gripens might become the gamechangers in the Ukraine battlefield - forget about the old F16 fighter jets as these are no match to existing Russian fighter jets used by the Russian military in the Ukraine war.

[@xyz-hj6ul]

It's not the jet, it's the weapons system. The best the Ukrainian Air Force are likely to get to go with their F-16AMs is the AIM-120C7 missile. Maybe even older war reserve stocks of AIM-120C5, assuming their motors aren't past code with cracks. With AIM-120C7: F-16--------->12nm low level, Mach .9. F-16------------------------>20nm, 20,000ft, Mach 1. F-16------------------------------------->40nm, 30,000ft, Mach 1.3. 130nm

[@rccasual7525]

Give those guys whatever they need without delay. Why are you tiptoeing around it. Sometimes I think US is intentionally dragging his feet to extend the conflict. Young brave men are dying because of this.

[@glebkotov1528]

А ты подумай почему так происходит

[@ATomRileyA]

They know the war is already lost and are just dragging it out for the sake of it, plus they are stealing loads of money from the Ukraine so its pretty profitable for them.

[@ivan200804]

I'm not an Air Force guy, but I can tell you. US fights in combined arms teams. F-15 for the radar coverage and F-16 to deliver the payload together. In the modern air war, radar coverage and AA long-range missiles will win any time. If US gives a lot of F-16s, it could definitely help, but in small numbers, they won't change much. I'm not even touching the maintenance part. All in all, Russia needs to finish up Ukraine ASAP, otherwise, it will turn into Iran-Iraq war.

[@practicalshooter6517]

I disagree. The F16 can hit targets in enemy territory that can't be reach by HIMARS or short distance artillery. Hitting those targets doesn't requires many planes if the intel of those critical targets is known.

[@LifeinDestination]

Rasha kaput ivan😉👏👍

[@dester3275]

Ukrainian sources have admitted the majority of air to air losses are due to Russian bvr aircraft(mainly the mig-35). If Ukraine can contest this ability through other aircraft capable of bvr, Russia wont be able to cause such one sides losses that affect Ukraine.

[@wheeliewheelie1]

What happened to negotiating peace? That shouldn't be off the table.