F-16 Fighters Cannot Outmatch MiG-29 Aircraft

According to the Russian Satellite Network, the Ukrainian Air Force and intelligence agencies have revealed that there are significant problems with Ukraine's F-16 fighters, which cannot even outmatch MiG-29 aircraft. The Pentagon in the United States must be heartbroken upon hearing this!

The F-16A-BLOCK15 fighters provided to the Ukrainian Air Force by the Netherlands and Denmark are not the latest version of the F-16V-BLOCK70 fighter. The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighters are still equipped with the AN/APG-66 radar, rather than the most advanced AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar.

The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighters are equipped with the AN/APG-66 radar, which began service in 1978 for the F-16AB fighters, F-4EJ fighters, F-5F fighters, and A-4 Skyhawk attack aircraft.

This 1978 airborne radar has a detection range of 60-90 kilometers in the upward direction and 46-65 kilometers in the downward direction. For large targets like the Tu-95 strategic bomber, the maximum detection distance is 140 kilometers. It also lacks multi-target tracking and multi-target strike capabilities.

The Russian MiG-29 fighters are all upgraded MiG-29M fighters from 2007 onwards, equipped with the latest Bug-M2E phased array radar. At a distance of 140 kilometers, it can accurately detect objects as small as 3 meters. It can simultaneously track and discover 24 aerial targets and strike 6 aerial targets.

One can see that at a distance of 140 kilometers, one can detect large targets like the Tu-95 strategic bomber, while the other can lock onto objects as small as 3 meters at the same distance. The technological gap between the two is obvious.

Russian MiG-29 fighters can precisely lock onto aircraft within a range of 100 kilometers and launch precise strikes using R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles.

However, the detection range of the Ukrainian F-16A fighters is only up to dozens of kilometers. More importantly, due to concerns about information leaks, the Netherlands and Denmark removed the NATO standard Link 16 data link when delivering the F-16 fighters.

Without data link support, the Ukrainian F-16 fighters face significant difficulties in aerial communication, early warning aircraft intelligence support, and ground command. The Ukrainian military also did not receive the latest AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles but only older versions.

In this situation, the combat range of Russian fighters can be three times that of Ukrainian F-16 fighters. The combat range of Ukrainian F-16 fighters is only one-third that of Russian fighters.

What's most interesting is that, to ensure U.S. secrets, the United States did not install the NATO standard identification friend or foe system on Ukraine's F-16 fighters. This led to a Ukrainian Patriot air defense missile mistakenly shooting down one of their own F-16 fighters.

An article published in the U.S. Military Observer Magazine (Military Watch Magazine) states that the F-16 fighters delivered by NATO countries to Ukraine have failed to meet expectations and have had no impact on the course of the conflict. This is because the F-16 fighters provided to Ukraine are not only few in number but also outdated versions.

Ukraine's Air Force is facing off against Russia's Aerospace Forces equipped with the latest models and a numerical advantage, including MiG-29M fighters, Su-30MK2 fighters, Su-35S fighters, and MiG-31MS fighters.

Suspected Arrival of Swedish Early Warning Aircraft in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Air Force discovered that MiG-29 fighters are frontline aircraft designed for deployment in harsh front-line conditions. They require simple maintenance and parts support and can operate on rudimentary front-line airstrips, allowing takeoffs from temporary roads.

F-16 fighters, on the other hand, are highly sophisticated aircraft requiring specialized maintenance facilities, flatter and more standardized runways, as well as a more complex supply chain and professional infrastructure.

Like all U.S.-made weapons, F-16 fighters require more maintenance and upkeep. For every hour of flight, an F-16 requires 16 hours of maintenance.

However, Ukraine seems to have received some good news. Intelligence indicates that an early warning aircraft appeared near Lviv, Ukraine. At least one of the two Saab Erieye ASC-9850 early warning aircraft promised by Sweden in May 2024 has already arrived in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Air Force is now equipped with its first early warning aircraft. This Swedish early warning aircraft is installed with the PS-890 "Balance Beam" active phased array radar, capable of detecting aerial and maritime targets over a 400-kilometer area.

Early warning aircraft can detect targets invisible to conventional aircraft. Ukraine will be able to more effectively monitor activities over Russian airspace, enhancing its air defense early warning capabilities and extending the detection range of its F-16A fighters. It can coordinate and integrate the entire Ukrainian defense system.

Speaking of it, Sweden's partnership is quite reliable. Not only does Sweden want Ukraine to survive, but it also wants Ukraine to gain certain advantages in the confrontation.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496032719172796982/

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