More Powerful Than F-16: Expert Reveals What Planes Can Reinforce Ukraine's Aviation

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The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided to freeze aid to Ukraine, which also provides for the suspension of technical support for F-16 fighter jets.

Aviation expert and member of the public council at the State Aviation Service Bohdan Dolintse has said on the air of ‘Espreso’ that despite such a step on the part of the United States, Ukraine has an alternative. We are talking about the supply of fighter jets from European countries.

‘First of all, we are talking about Mirage fighter jets, which today France is gradually putting into service. These aircraft are commensurate in their characteristics with the F-16s that Ukraine has received. However, there are even more modern jets, because today the main combat plane in France, apart from the Mirage, is the Rafale. All the tasks previously performed by the Mirage are now being transferred to the Rafale,’ he emphasised.

In addition to France, the UK also has fighter jets. Eurofighter Typhoon planes have radars that in some versions are more powerful than the F-16s received by Ukraine. In addition, the Eurofighter has a combat range of almost 1,400 kilometres, while the F-16 has only 550 kilometres.

‘There are also Swedish Gripen fighters in Europe, namely the JAS 39 Gripen, which also match the level of modern F-16 modifications, even more advanced than those provided to Ukraine. However, only a small number of Gripen aircraft have been produced to date. To provide Ukraine with additional such aircrafts, it will be a matter of their production, which may take several years. That is, it will not be a quick process for Gripen,’ the aviation expert added.

At the same time, if we talk about the readiness of Mirage planes and their flight crews, Dolince believes that it will take from 6 to 8 months, after which the fighters will be able to operate in Ukrainian airspace. The same timeframe is needed for the Rafale and Typhoon, but there is no talk of their use yet.

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