F-16s are already performing combat missions in Ukraine, and this may be officially announced on 24 August – pilot Svitan
1 August 2024 17:00
EXCLUSIVE
The first F-16s have arrived in Ukraine. The Times reports this on , citing an unnamed source. According to the British newspaper, six fighters were received from the Netherlands, and several more aircraft will soon arrive from Denmark. By the end of the year, Ukraine will have about 20 fighter jets, including deliveries from Belgium and Norway. The Ukrainian Air Force declined to comment, and there is no official confirmation of the F-16s. Roman Svitan, a reserve colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and former fighter pilot-instructor, told [Komersant ] in an exclusive interview how long he has observed F-16s flying combat missions in Ukraine and how many such fighters are needed to change the course of the war.
The fact that Ukraine will receive, or has already received, the fighter jets is one hundred per cent certain, says Roman Svitan. After all, pilots and technicians are being trained, and a lot of money has been spent on training the flight crew.
“F-16s can already perform combat missions in our skies today. Either from Polish or Romanian bases, or if they are redeployed to us. Judging by some of the peculiarities of the use of aviation weapons, we can say that they started flying combat missions not even today or yesterday, but several months ago. Most likely, from the bases of our partners,” Roman Svitan
However, the pilot notes that confirming the presence of aircraft on our territory, transferring them and using them in the air are different aspects. Roman Svitan explains:
- “Fulfilment of combat missions means simply entering Ukraine from any base, working and returning back
- Transfer of aircraft – we could receive them in Norway and leave them at a particular base
- Receiving F-16s means that they are on our bases, on combat duty and performing tasks.
So, Roman Svitan concludes, F-16s can already perform combat missions without confirmation of the F-16s’ basing.
Should Ukraine wait for official confirmation of F-16s?
Only the Chief of Aviation of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can confirm the presence of F-16s at our bases, says Roman Svitan. This can only happen when they are based in Ukraine and are on combat duty.
“There will definitely be confirmation of the F-16s. This will have a positive effect on the population of Ukraine, which has been waiting for the promised fighters. The best option is to announce it on Independence Day, 24 August,” Roman Svitan
Will it be possible to hide the F-16 from Russian missiles?
Roman Svitan, a reserve colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and former fighter pilot-instructor, is confident that the Russians will be among the first to know about the presence of fighter jets in Ukraine.
“The Russians know and see the performance of combat missions, monitor the airspace. They know how the weapons work: A MiG-29 launched a HARM [anti-radar missile – ed. Different control systems, which means different missile capabilities,” Roman Svitan
Moreover, Svitan adds, it’s not for nothing that the enemy has been hitting our airfields for the past few weeks. The Russians understand that they either already have aircraft on them or are preparing to deploy them.
What should not be covered in the media? Of course, we can’t say where the F-16s are and in what numbers. According to Roman Svitan, it is better to give disinformation that we have 6 aircraft and will not get more. In this way, we can take the enemy out of the information flow. So, most likely, Ukrainians will never know the number and location of the fighters.
Can F-16s change the course of the war?
In order for F-16s to change the course of the war, they must be in a certain number and range of weapons, says Roman Svitan.
“To turn the tide at the front, we need at least one brigade of aircraft fully equipped with weapons. This is about 40-45 aircraft. And this is only for one of the frontline areas. To completely change the course of the war, we need at least three brigades in three directions. And this means 120 to 150 aircraft,” Roman Svitan
It’s no secret that air superiority at the front provides significant strategic and tactical advantages. This includes intelligence and surveillance, strike capabilities, support for ground forces and, no less important, moral influence. As Yevhen “Tykhyi”, an officer of the Defence Forces, told Kommersant Ukrainskyi, when the guys are on a combat mission or even on holiday, and a couple of planes fly over at low altitude and overhead (to or from a mission), it significantly boosts morale.
“If the planes are returning from a mission, we are sure that the orcs have received a portion of revenge, and our pilots are already safe, alive and returning home. If they are flying towards the enemy, you are glad that now the enemies will get a piece of the action,” Yevhen “Tykhyi”
The officer adds that when this huge machine flies over you with incredible power and noise, it makes you freeze in admiration: you can feel the power of the state, that we have cool equipment, modern technologies that can withstand the aggressor.
So, we can only hope that the F-16 will soon give the enemy a kick in the nuts and add motivation to the battlefield.
Author – Anastasia Fedor
