The Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive only six of the first F-16 fighter jets in July

Approximately 45 units were promised in total, but their delivery and pilot training have encountered greater difficulties than expected. However, even half a hundred aircraft can have a significant impact on the course of military operations. This was reported by The New York Times.

At the same time, the necessity of repairing outdated and war-damaged runways at Ukrainian airfields may further delay the deployment of the F-16s into war. History seems to repeat itself with the transfer of Western-produced tanks to Ukraine: a prolonged process with limited and ultimately low results. It’s worth noting that F-16 fighters are comparable in tactical and technical characteristics to Soviet MiG-29 aircraft, and they may not change much on the battlefield. Moreover, over time, the Russian military is likely to develop tactics to counter them, further diminishing their effectiveness.

The long-awaited arrival of these aircraft on the battlefield is not forthcoming. In recent weeks, Russia has employed more aggressive air support to solidify its presence in eastern Ukraine, using military aircraft to deploy guided glide bombs over long distances towards the Ukrainian frontline. Ukraine is desperately in need of a greater quantity of weaponry of any kind, as it is running out of artillery shells and other ammunition, while Republicans in Congress are holding back additional American military assistance. The F-16s will likely be armed with medium and short-range missiles and bombs, partially mitigating the shortage of ground-based ammunition. However, it’s unlikely to have any significant impact on the situation on the battlefield.