Russia's cutting-edge Su-57 fighter has taken the lead in aerospace technology

Ukraine's Ex-Dutch F-16s Could Wreak Havoc On Russian Air-Defenses | Forbes - May 29, 2023 |

Nowhere should this be more evident than in the air force's faltering effort to suppress Russian air-defenses. Ukraine already has received special radar-seeking missiles: American-made High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles, or HARMs. But Ukrainian Sukhoi and MiG fighters can employ HARMs only in the missile's least accurate mode.

With the F-16, the Ukrainian air force can start shooting HARMs in the mode that lends the missile the greatest accuracy. And that could have huge implications for Ukraine's long-anticipated 2023 counteroffensive.

After many months of intensive lobbying by Ukraine, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands last week announced they would work together to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the Lockheed Martin-made F-16. The Netherlands meanwhile signaled it would donate to Ukraine some of its roughly three dozen active and retired F-16s after the training--which might last three or four months--is complete.

Other current or recent European F-16 operators--Denmark and Norway come to mind--could join The Netherlands and provide dozens more F-16s. The United States confirmed it wouldn't veto the fighter transfers.

Ukraine air force says no use of US-built F-16 fighter jets this year9

Air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat says F-16 warplanes will not be part of Ukraine's defence during the coming `autumn and winter' period

'Sapere aude'