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Ukraine is managing expectations as the first F-16s enter service with its air force in the coming weeks. Only six Ukrainian air force pilots have been fully trained to fly the Vipers, and Ukraine is expected to take a conservative approach to their deployment. According to the Washington Post, the initial F-16s will likely be used in defensive roles rather than engaging with Russian MiGs and Sukhois. The operating restrictions imposed by NATO countries donating the aircraft are still unknown.
Initially, the F-16s will operate away from direct conflict, focusing on tasks such as shooting down drones. The training process for Ukrainian pilots remains an issue, as it takes more than six months to acquire the necessary language and technical skills to operate Western aircraft, which use different systems and control doctrines compared to Soviet-era airframes. Only the best Ukrainian pilots are selected for F-16 training, making commanders reluctant to risk losing them due to gaps left in their ranks.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine welcomes the addition of F-16s for their longer-range radars, flexibility, and psychological impact on opposing Russian pilots. Becca Wasser, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, told the Post it makes sense for Ukrainians to integrate the F-16s slowly. “If you have this exquisite capability, are you going to use it immediately, knowing that there’s a greater risk of it being expended or are you going to withhold it and use it so it has broader strategic value,” she said.
