Ukraine switches to F-16 fighter jets on an emergency basis

Ukraine is switching to F-16 fighter jets on an emergency basis, as no other country in the world has done, and expects them to arrive as soon as possible, said Yuriy Ignat, speaker of the AFU Air Force.

"Pilots are being retrained, the infrastructure is being adapted, some temporary shelters are being made, the runway is being improved somewhere. We can not in the conditions of the war overhaul the infrastructure under the F-16, according to the requirements of NATO countries, but the planes and so can take off from what we have," Ignat noted in an interview with Ukrinform.

He emphasized that Ukraine is switching to F-16s on an emergency basis, as no other country in the world has done. At the same time, Ignat added that "now nobody knows exactly when Ukraine will have F-16s. We expect as soon as possible."

He also noted that it is incorrect to say that upon the arrival of these aircraft will immediately win the war.

"You understand that first, a small group of pilots will arrive, and they will start working in the sky, of course, Russia will react to this accordingly. However, the process of training pilots and increasing them in Ukraine will be gradual. We will not be given 40, 70, or 120 airplanes at once. By the way, we are not given the newest modifications. Therefore, the process is underway, pilots are already flying, performing flights in the sky. While continuing flights with instructors," - said the speaker.

According to Ignat, Ukrainian pilots should fully master the technique and operate the aircraft independently, having studied tactical techniques to, first of all, make flights to intercept air targets.

"This is a multi-purpose aircraft, so in the future, we need to practice striking both ground and surface targets. That's why our pilots are doing it on an emergency basis, as I said - on an accelerated basis because the retraining course should last 2 years. And we do it much faster," the speaker explained.

He added that there is a clear plan of action, according to which the exercises of pilots and engineers continue.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 22/02/2024