Ukraine needs about 200 modern combat aircraft, including F-16s, to effectively deter air and ground threats from Russia. Colonel Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force , said this in an interview with Ukrayinska Pravda.
According to him, these are multi-purpose fighters that can engage air, land and sea targets. F-16s are capable of supporting ground troops, repelling missile attacks and ensuring control of the sky. Ignat notes that 200 of these aircraft will allow Ukraine to implement a full-fledged aviation defence strategy.
“The equipment we received is not new, but it is an order of magnitude better than outdated Soviet aircraft. What matters is what is installed under the wings and what kind of radar the aircraft has,” Ihnat explained.
The colonel stressed that at this stage, Russia has a significant air superiority: aircraft with more powerful radars and long-range missiles, an integrated air defence system and air cover.
“When the F-16 was not yet available, the ratio in the sky was 1:10 not in our favour. We were flying MiG-29s, which cannot be compared to modern fighters. It’s like a Makarov pistol versus a sniper rifle,” Ignat added.
He also reminded that Ukrainian pilots continue to demonstrate high professional skills, despite the technical lag, and are already preparing for the combat use of F-16s coming from partner countries.
