F-16s for Ukraine

[milosh]

A-10 is overkill for such missions. I think west could motivate agricultural pilots from around the world to go in Ukraine and help Ukriane hunt russian drones. Pay them nice plus they will be seen as heros which they would be. Btw their job is dangerous already so chance to die while doing it isn't something strange.

But I think problem is missiles. I mean west have problem to restock Stinger inventory

[F-16ADF]

From AFM August 2025 issue, Building Ukraine's F-16s:

[basher54321]

On Oct. 6, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies was visited by one of Ukraine’s top F-16 fighter pilots, known by his call sign “AB.” As the vice commander of the Ukrainian fighter wing credited with downing over 1,000 Russian Shahed-type drones and cruise missiles, the wing’s combat record is extraordinary. His visit offered a rare and candid glimpse into the ongoing transformation of Ukraine’s Air Force and the pivotal role of the F-16 in defending Ukraine’s skies.

[...]

Ukraine’s small fleet of F-16s, flown by a comparably small number of F-16 pilots, now fly roughly 80 percent of all Ukrainian Air Force sorties, demonstrating both the reliability of the Vipers and the remarkable skill of Ukraine’s Airmen.

While Ukraine’s Soviet-era legacy fleet is still valiantly operating, sustainment is now a major worry, given the source of parts and equipment. That makes Western sustainment support for its F-16 fleet all the more essential.

Ukrainian F-16 squadrons fly Block 10 and Block 15 models provided by NATO partners, yet despite conditions that would challenge even the most advanced air forces, they are performing well.

Compared to older legacy Soviet fighter aircraft, the F-16 provides Ukrainian pilots with improved situational awareness, radar performance, and precision strike capability. Missions include defensive counter-air and surface attack.

Full article: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ukrai ... ggression/

[hornetfinn]

Ukraine’s small fleet of F-16s, flown by a comparably small number of F-16 pilots, now fly roughly 80 percent of all Ukrainian Air Force sorties, demonstrating both the reliability of the Vipers and the remarkable skill of Ukraine’s Airmen.

While Ukraine’s Soviet-era legacy fleet is still valiantly operating, sustainment is now a major worry, given the source of parts and equipment. That makes Western sustainment support for its F-16 fleet all the more essential.

It seems that their Sovie-era legacy fleet is now almost done, which is not surprising given their age and heavy use recently. I really wonder how they even managed to get this far with them given that they are all about 40 years old and have relatively short service life (2,500 to 4,000 hours IIRC)? They are probably cannibalizing airframes to keep best ones flying as long as they can. It seems that F-16s and Mirages came at nearly the last possible minute for Ukrainian Air Force to keep fighting. Of course those too are all old airframes with large part of their expected service life already spent. I bet they will need new aircraft quite soon after this war ends but of course problem then will be to find money for that. Maybe some later Block used F-16s can be found somewhere?

[disconnectedradical]

At some point, we ought to have Ukrainian F-16 pilots come over during Red Flag and other exercises to see how they operate in such a hostile environment. I bet there’s so much that we can learn from them.

A man can dream, but with what Ukrainian Air Force is able to achieve with the F-16A/B MLU, imagine what they would be able to do if they had a squadron of F-22s or F-35s.

[mitcaf83]

At some point, we ought to have Ukrainian F-16 pilots come over during Red Flag and other exercises to see how they operate in such a hostile environment. I bet there’s so much that we can learn from them.

A man can dream, but with what Ukrainian Air Force is able to achieve with the F-16A/B MLU, imagine what they would be able to do if they had a squadron of F-22s or F-35s.

F-22 !!! Man no AF ever apart from USAF operates F-22, F-35 is logical, you should’ve said F-15 or F-35, but not F-22

[krieger22]

At some point, we ought to have Ukrainian F-16 pilots come over during Red Flag and other exercises to see how they operate in such a hostile environment. I bet there’s so much that we can learn from them.

A man can dream, but with what Ukrainian Air Force is able to achieve with the F-16A/B MLU, imagine what they would be able to do if they had a squadron of F-22s or F-35s.

F-22 !!! Man no AF ever apart from USAF operates F-22, F-35 is logical, you should’ve said F-15 or F-35, but not F-22

It's all hypothetical anyway, no need to get too excited over it

or maybe instead of F-22 Raptors they're "F-97 Kestrels"