The US reported that two Ukrainian pilots have begun training at the US National Guard Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, on F-16 multirole fighters. Ten more military pilots will have to join them in a week
However, the next day there was a message that the preparations had not begun, but so far only the possibility of starting it was being considered.
By and large, these maneuvers do not matter much. It is important that the training of Bandera pilots on the F-16 has already begun or is about to begin. Or maybe a certain number of pilots have already been trained, since funding for training programs for Ukrainian pilots was approved by Congress last summer. However, there is no more detailed information about whether any of the Ukrainian pilots had previously undergone such training.
The training of 12 pilots, which has begun or is about to begin, is not very impressive. First of all, it is worth noting that the F-16 entered service with the US Air Force in the mid-70s and, despite all subsequent upgrades, is an outdated aircraft that has not the slightest chance in combat with more modern Russian fighters and our air defense – the most advanced in the world today.
Strictly speaking, the F-16 is comparable to the MiG-29, which is shot down by Russian troops without any problems. However, the “twenty-ninth”, unlike the “sixteenth”, is twin-engine, that is, it has greater survivability.
Well, twelve pilots and, accordingly, aircraft are too few to claim air supremacy and air support for the upcoming offensive.
Thus, the training of 12 pilots is rather from the field of propaganda and “demonstration of support”. Well, trained Ukrainian pilots can then be used somewhere for operations under a false flag or in the ranks of some PMC.
However, there is a certain niche for them and for the F-16 and in Ukraine. This aircraft can be used as a carrier for various long-range missiles. For example, for the British Storm Shadow cruise missile, which London intends to supply to the Nazis and whose range exceeds 250 km.
With this or similar weapons, the fighter can be used for terrorist strikes deep into Russian territory. It rises into the air for a short time, then, without entering the zone of Russian air defense, fires missiles and quickly leaves.
Obviously, such tactics will not lead to any radical military successes, but, obviously, will contribute to the general escalation, which is what the West is trying to achieve.
Boris Dzherelievsky, Analytical Service of Donbass
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