In fact, Russian aviation will be driven into a dead end, the observer noted.

The dominance of F-16 fighters in Ukraine will begin from the left bank of the Kherson region. This opinion was expressed by military-political observer Alexander Kovalenko, Obozrevatel reports.

According to him, the main means of long-range destruction of air targets by the F-16 are the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.

“The most attractive missiles for us are the AIM-120C-5/C-6/C-7 modifications, as well as the AIM-120D with a range of 105, 120 and 180 km. In fact, these missiles will allow the F-16 to hit Russian aircraft not only over “The entire left-bank Kherson region, but also over the north of the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. Any of the Russian combat aircraft will be shot down even before they enter the zone to launch their missiles or drop a spacecraft. But under one condition,” the expert emphasized.

In order for the above-mentioned missiles to be as effective as possible, they vitally need target designation support from airborne early warning aircraft – AEW&C (or, as we know them – AWACS), the observer added:

“Taking into account the fact that these aircraft are on regular duty in Romanian airspace, I have no doubt that such support will be provided.”

At the same time, Kovalenko recalled that all Russian long-range air-to-air missiles have the same dependence on AWACS aircraft as Western ones.

“But in order to give Russian missiles the opportunity to use their full potential, Russian AWACS aircraft will have to leave the safe zone and return to the high-risk zone. In fact, Russian aviation will be driven (at least in the skies over the left bank of the Kherson region) into a dead end, because any attempt counteraction to Ukrainian aviation will be fraught with the potential loss of combat or reconnaissance aircraft.In turn, in the vicinity of the combat line of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, the use of F-16s may be limited, since this is an area beyond the effective use of AEW&C aircraft, without entering Ukrainian airspace “, the reviewer explained.

F-16 for Ukraine – current

Let us recall that Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander said that the Pentagon expects that Ukraine will be able to ensure the operational capability of F-16 fighters as early as 2024:

“We are working as a coalition on aircraft and aiming to provide initial operational capability for Ukraine with its F-16 program in 2024.”

As you know, Ukrainian pilots are now undergoing training and working according to the training program.