Could the F-16 Viper be the game-changer Ukraine needs in its ongoing war with Russia? Discover why the F-16's multirole capability, agile flight performance, and continuous upgrades make it a formidable force in any conflict. We discuss the unique challenges of the Russian-Ukraine conflict and how geography, jamming, and drones could impact the balance of power. We also explore the training Ukrainian pilots undergo and the weapons systems they could potentially wield.
We delve into the Russian potential counter-tactics and the possible strategies Ukraine may adopt with their shiny new aircraft. On top of that, we look at the potential implications of Ukraine’s F-16 acquisition on neighboring countries and the broader international community. Tune in to get an in-depth understanding of this critical development and its implications for the future of the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Whether you're a military enthusiast or a geopolitics guru, this episode has insights for everyone.
You're listening to the Pilot Photog podcast, where every airplane has a story. After months of requests, Ukraine is finally getting some F-16 fighter planes. These jets will be Ukraine's first Western fighter aircraft, which some feel could tip the balance of power in the ongoing war with Russia. Let's take a look at how Ukraine could make use of the F-16, what tactics the Russians could use against it, and whether or not the jet is a game changer in the current counter offensive. To understand why Ukraine obtaining F-16s is such a big deal, we'll need to uncover what makes these jets so special and for the purposes of this video, I'll be referring to the F-16 as the Viper, since that is what pilots and maintainers refer to the jet as. Alright, we'll start with the Viper's versatility and multirole capability.
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While initially designed as a low cost day air to air fighter, the F-16 has evolved into an excellent multirole fighter platform, meaning it can undertake a wide range of missions, from air to air combat to ground attack and beyond, including suppression of enemy air defenses or SEED. More on that later. This flexibility allows it to adapt to various mission profiles, making it invaluable to any air force. Next is agile flight performance. The F-16's unique frame and flight control system allow for exceptional maneuverability. This agility, coupled with its powerful single engine design, gives it a significant edge in dogfights and evading enemy defenses, which will likely prove very handy in the situations it will soon find itself in. Furthermore, the bubble canopy also offers pilots an unparalleled 360 degree view, enhancing situational awareness during combat, especially when the situation has devolved into within visual range engagements.
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Then there are the continuous upgrades and modernization efforts. Over the years, the F-16 has seen multiple upgrade packages which have kept it relevant in the evolving battlefield. These upgrades include advanced radars, avionics, weapon systems and electronic warfare suites that ensure the F-16 remains competitive against more modern adversaries. On top of this, the jet is very cost effective. In comparison to other modern jets, the F-16 has a relatively low operational costs. Its simpler design compared to twin engine fighters, along with a robust supply chain and wide adoption, makes maintenance and operations more affordable. As a result, this cost effectiveness has made it an attractive option for numerous countries, further spreading its use in establishing a global support and parts network. This could prove decisive, as Ukrainian based F-16 could source parts from nearby NATO operators of the Viper, such as Poland. Compared to the Soviet era of MiG-29s that Ukraine has been operating these F-16s were a big step forward in capabilities. Given all of these factors, you can see why the announcement that the Viper was going to be delivered to Ukraine was met with much fanfare. In total, some 61 F-16s will be sent to Ukraine 42 from the Netherlands and 19 from Denmark. But how will the jet actually perform once it begins combat operations?
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Many battlespaces heavily influenced by geography, which in turn dictate the strategies and tactics that will be used. Fighting a war over vast stretches of ocean is not the same as fighting a land battle between two opposing armies. The geography in the current Russian-Ukraine conflict is a land war between two border nations, with virtually all of the conflict taking place inside of Ukraine. Because of this, combat aircraft on both sides are essentially inside the battlespace at all times. As soon as an aircraft takes off, it is within engagement range of surface-to-air missiles or SAMs, which forces the aircraft onto the defensive as soon as they are airborne. That's like a boxer stepping into a ring and immediately punches or thrown Fights on as soon as wheels are up. As a result, the conflict has devolved into a very low flying, contested battlespace. Fighters and attack aircraft must stay low to avoid long-range SAM installations. But there's also another threat Man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADs. These are shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles that can be carried by virtually any soldier and pose a constant threat to aircraft on both sides. These ground-to-air threats have all but eliminated large or even smaller air-to-air battles, in which, traditionally, would help determine air superiority. Instead, most air power has been used in air to ground operations. To this end, the F-16s would likely be used initially in seed missions, attacks which would focus on eliminating SAM sites and concentration of ground air defenses. Given its small size and exceptional maneuverability, this is a role that the Viper has proven to be very adept at.
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Another consideration is pilot training. If not all Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly either the MiG-29, Su-27, or Su-24 aircraft, all of which are Russian-made. Therefore, considerable time must be spent transitioning those pilots to the F-16. Some estimates say at least three months. And while the F-16 was designed to be relatively easy to fly, employing the numerous weapons systems and using the jet effectively takes time to learn. There is also the consideration of which weapons systems will be made available to the Ukrainian F-16s. For example, as of the making of this video, it is uncertain if Ukraine will receive the medium range A1-20 Amra missile and, if it does, in what quantities. Think of getting a sports car, but without its most high performance engine to power it. Sure, you could go fast, but you could go faster if you had the better engine.
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Getting back to pilot training, we also need to consider the difference in doctrine. Since Ukrainian pilots will receive training from NATO countries, we can assume that the instruction which will follow will be what has been, to this point, the NATO Doctrine for Fighter pilots to act decisively and independently within the rules of engagement. This is in direct contrast to traditional training received by Russian pilots, whose doctrine focuses more on a ground-based, controlled approach. In other words, there is a central command and control authority on the ground directing aircraft as to where and when to fight. This is sort of like a ship being steered by a captain who is on shore. Again, tactics and training may have changed on both sides since the conflict began, but this is the way training has been handled in the past by both groups. Then there is the quality of the training itself. Training for a thousand hours and learning something new each time is not the same as training for a thousand one-hour missions that are the same. We can again assume that the NATO training the Ukrainian pilots will receive will be of high quality.
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This brings us back to the aircraft. The F-16s that Ukraine will be receiving appear to be the Block 50 series, which are equivalent to what the USAF was operating about a decade ago. These are not the latest and greatest Block 70 vipers, which features advanced Acer radar, conformal fuel tanks and other upgrades. Still, the Block 50 vipers are clearly better than the Soviet era of MiG-29s that Ukraine has been operating. But what about Russia's Air Force? We can assume that Russia will be bringing its most advanced MiG-29s, MiG-35s, Su-27s and other aircraft into the fight. In a one-on-one engagement. The F-16 can hold its own against any of those aircraft, but we do have to consider numbers. Russia may simply have more aircraft to bring into theater, so attrition could become a factor.
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Additionally, we need to talk about jamming. Radar jamming or electronic countermeasures have been employed successfully by both sides, and this turns the battle space into a more condensed environment, Sort of like boxing while blindfolded in a corner. Initially, this could be an advantage for the F-16 pilots, as their training may focus more on independent action. Still, jamming would limit precision weapons and long-range targeting, especially if GPS signals are compromised. The last factor to consider is a weapon system that has been seeing increasing use in the conflict by both sides Drones, Less expensive than manned aircraft and a tritable meaning you don't care if the drone is lost, especially if you can take something out much more expensive.
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Case in point the recent destruction of at least one advanced Tupolev Tu-22M strategic heavy bomber by drones. The bomber was destroyed on the ground hundreds of miles away from the Ukrainian border. This essentially puts every airfield in the theater of operations at risk for such an attack. So when we return to our initial question will the F-16 be a game changer for Ukraine? The answer is, as they say in fighter weapons school, it depends. How will the F-16 be used? How often will it be used? At the end of the day, the F-16, while a marvelous weapons platform, is only as good as a tactics and combined arms that are used to support it. The inclusion of the Viper into the conflict does draw neighboring Allied nations in to some degree, as they could help with training pilots as well as providing spare parts. Thanks for listening to the Pilot Photon Podcast. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and the YouTube channel as well. I will leave links in the description slash show notes below. Now you know.