Despite initial American concerns, Ukraine is handling its recently acquired F-16 fighter jets with surprising efficiency, according to U.S. Air Force General James B. Hecker, who leads U.S. and NATO Air Forces in Europe.
Trained Well and Learned Quickly
According to WP he was speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference, when Hecker praised Ukrainian ground crews and pilots for quickly adapting to the aircraft.
“While there were doubts about whether Ukraine could maintain the jets, their ground technicians have proven themselves.
They’ve been trained well and are learning very quickly,” Hecker said. He also noted that Ukrainian pilots are already flying the jets, which is a positive development.
The F-16 jets have played a critical role in Ukraine’s defense, helping to hunt down drones and cruise missiles.
These efforts provide significant relief for Ukraine's air defense systems, which have previously relied heavily on aging MiG-29 fighters. While the current fleet of F-16s is being used conservatively, their presence has made a noticeable difference.
Undergone Mid-Life Upgrades
Ukraine’s F-16s, delivered from Denmark, are older models—F-16AM/BMs from the 1990s that have undergone Mid-Life Updates.
These upgrades have equipped the jets with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, capable of striking targets up to 100 kilometers away. The jets have also been adapted for Western weapons systems, including French AASM Hammer bombs and AGM-88 HARM missiles.
With more F-16s expected by the end of 2024, Ukraine’s air capabilities are set to grow even stronger, allowing the country to continue defending its skies in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
