Additional Coverage:
- Ukraine got the go-ahead to hit Russia with F-16s, but doing so could be a waste of a good jet (newsbreak.com)
In Fetesti, Romania, November 2023, two F-16 jets showcased their capabilities with fly-bys during a demonstration event. Denmark, a member of NATO, has announced its decision to allow Ukraine to utilize F-16 fighter jets it plans to provide for striking military targets inside Russian territory. However, this strategic choice raises concerns among military experts who believe that deploying the jets in this manner might not be the most advantageous tactic.
Despite the potential for these jets to be used against targets within Russia, it is not yet clear whether Ukraine intends to execute such missions. Such operations could involve the jets themselves entering Russian airspace or merely their weaponry. Analysts highlighted to Business Insider the complexity of this decision, emphasizing that it may not represent the optimal use of the F-16s at the current stage of the conflict.
This move by Denmark signifies a shift in the approach of NATO countries regarding the military support provided to Ukraine. Previously, efforts were made to restrict Ukraine’s ability to launch attacks inside Russia, affording Moscow a strategic advantage. The inability to strike within Russian borders was seen as significantly hindering Ukraine’s war effort, effectively fighting “with one hand tied behind its back,” as some analysts have described.
Recent changes in the stance of international partners, however, with Denmark leading the way, suggest a more flexible attitude towards the use of advanced weaponry supplied to Ukraine. Yet, experts caution against premature action, pointing out the risks of such high-value assets getting lost deep within enemy territory. American-made F-16s, expected to arrive in Ukraine this summer, should perhaps be preserved for future use when they can be deployed more effectively, considering the limited number they will initially receive.
Ukraine has been persistent in its efforts to acquire F-16s since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, with several countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and France, committing to provide a total of an estimated 85 jets to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Nonetheless, the challenge of training enough pilots to operate these jets remains, with current training capacities allowing for only about 20 Ukrainian pilots to be prepared this year.
Some analysts advocate for a defensive role for the F-16s within Ukrainian territory, focusing on protecting cities and infrastructure against Russian drones and missiles rather than venturing into the formidable air defense network of Russia. This cautious approach aims to preserve the limited number of advanced fighter jets amid a broader strategic calculus, weighing the potential political and military consequences of their deployment.
As the situation evolves, the use of F-16s by Ukraine remains a topic of intense speculation and strategic analysis, with their arrival marking a significant enhancement of Ukraine’s military capabilities, even as the best use of these assets continues to be debated.