Will Ukraine Receive F-16 Squadron By The End Of 2024?

An aviation expert answered.

Ukraine received its first F-16 aircraft for service in August 2024. The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukraine is unlikely to receive an F-16 squadron by the end of 2024. However, one should not be so confident.

Deputy CEO of a Ukrainian electronic warfare company and aviation expert Anatoly Khrapchinsky told Channel 24 that Ukraine could receive a squadron of fighters by the end of 2024, as many factors point to this. In addition, an entire squadron of F-16s on the battlefield will be able to perform complex operations.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that the United States is currently training junior cadets for the F-16, not experienced pilots. This decision could influence whether Ukraine will later receive a squadron of modern fighters.

Khrapchinsky noted that this is a subjective opinion, because it is also worth analyzing training in France, Great Britain, Romania and a number of other countries.

In addition, F-16 fighters will be transferred to Ukraine by several countries, not just one.

"I assume that by the end of the year we will have a whole squadron," emphasized the deputy general director of the company.

Khrapchinsky noted that Ukraine received the first batch of F-16 aircraft from the Netherlands. Recently, the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans visited our country, in particular, he visited Kharkiv. He promised that the rest of the promised 24 aircraft will be in Ukraine in the coming months.

Ukraine is focusing specifically on the squadron due to the specifics of the tactics. The deputy general director of the company explained that there are separate links that are used in certain combat operations.

The most important thing to understand is that only a squadron is capable of performing certain necessary tasks. An F-16 squadron is 18-21 aircraft by modern NATO standards.

"If we talk about airspace protection, 4 aircraft are enough to close a certain sector on Ukrainian territory, and if we talk about performing complex operations, then just one squadron will be effective," Khrapchinsky added.

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