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Biggerboat1 on 06 February 2024
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Ryuu96 said:
Biggerboat1 said:

What impact do you reckon all of these f-16s will make? Will Russia still have air superiority?

Neither side has air superiority really, aside from behind their respective frontlines, F-16's won't change much there.

They won't be a wonder weapon, rather they'll be another good weapon to add to their overall strength.

F'16s are better than what Ukraine currently employs in practically every way, better radars, better anti-jamming, they can intercept missiles from further away which will improve Ukraine's air defences and relieve pressure on ground based air defence, they will be able to detect Russian aircraft at further distances than the current Ukraine jets, Russian jets right now can see Ukrainian jets first and Ukraine could perform missions further away from Russia's frontline air-defence.

Also, F-16's can be more easily integrated with other sophisticated weapon systems that the West has, things easily compatible with the F-16 that, from offensive weaponry to defensive weaponry, right now that's complicated with the current Ukrainian jets, basically have to jerry-rig the Storm Shadows and SCALPs to them.

But Russia is full of anti-air defences, S-400's will still be able to target F-16s and Ukraine will still likely have to operate from time to time at low altitudes because of that which present problems of its own. There's just too much anti-air defence on both sides right now for any major changes in the skies. But F-16s for the long term is good value, it's just an all round better aircraft than what Ukraine currently uses and can easily integrate with other modern Western technology.

Thanks. Wishful thinking on my part that they'd potentially change the momentum of the conflict. I remember shortage of air support, in order to soften Russian artillery positions, being cited as one of the reasons that the most recent counteroffensive hadn't been as effective as hoped...

I also heard recently that the average age of a Ukrainian soldier is now over 40 - how long can their military sustain? At this point I fear Russia may win through sheer numbers. F16s are a small W I suppose, but could really do with a big one at this point. Hopefully Putin chokes on his cornflakes!