Ukrainian pilots complete F‑16 training in Arizona, ready for shift from Soviet to Western aircraft

Erin Hannigan, spokesperson for the Arizona National Guard, shared that a second batch of four pilots initiated their training in January, and a third group of four pilots is presently participating in compulsory English language training for flying F-16 fighters. All groups are expected to wrap up their training program between May and August.

The anticipation for delivering Western F-16 fighter jets is growing in Ukraine. Authorities in Kyiv suggest these aircraft could alter the air game rules and assist in efficiently rebuffing Russian assaults. For Ukrainian pilots, who've so far operated Soviet-made machinery, the transition to more contemporary fighters marks a considerable shift. The Su-27 or MiG-29, which they've used in the past, are substantially different in specification from the more advanced F-16s, as illustrated in the infographic below:

Based on the information to hand, Ukraine is geared up to receive about 60 F-16 fighters from Western countries. This sizeable addition will facilitate the formation of three to four squadrons primarily dedicated to defending against Russian air strikes. The aircraft can be deployed for air-to-air operations, air-to-ground operations, and for jamming the electronic signal of Russian radars located in Ukraine and along its borders.

It is critical to remember that the F-16 is a fighter jet designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The jets are about 15 meters long, possess an approximate wingspan of around 9.5 meters, and can travel at speeds close to 2 Mach, or nearly 2,450 km/h. A significant advantage of these jets is their capability to carry a wide variety of weapons. On its website, Lockheed Martin underscores its over 36 years of experience in weapons integration with the F-16, as a result of which this multi-task fighter can hold approximately 180 different types of weapons.

The primary weapon of the F-16 is the M61A 20 mm cannon. In addition, it can carry guided air-to-ground missiles (AGM-65G2 Maverick), bombs (Mk82 or Mk84), or medium-range radar-guided air-to-air missiles (AIM-120C-5).