Colonel Knutov told how they will shoot down the F-16s transferred to Kiev
F-16 fighters, which the Americans promised Ukraine, may already be at the disposal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the issue with pilots for Western fighters has probably been resolved. So say military analysts who have information about the stop at the front. At the same time, Air Defense Colonel Yuri Knutov, in a conversation with MK said that Ukraine, most likely, will not really have problems with pilots, difficulties may arise on the ground — when servicing fighters.
A number of Telegram channels reported that the Ukrainian military department is actively recruiting Western military pilots who have the skills to fly F-16 multirole fighters. According to the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Reznikov, the presence of trained pilots, albeit foreign ones, can speed up the process of transferring these aircraft to Ukraine.
On the other hand, some experts are convinced that this statement by Reznikov is another «canard», and F-16s have already been prepared, pilots have been allocated. And the hype around alleged & nbsp; shortage of pilots — cover operation.
Military expert, director of the Air Defense Museum Colonel Yuri Knutov also believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have no problems with pilots.
— Immediately after the start of the special operation, Ukraine began sending fifth-year cadets of flight schools abroad to learn how to pilot the F-16. In addition, Ukrainian pilots who flew the MiG-29 are able to retrain on the F-16 within a few months. By the way, one day was enough for Russian pilots who flew to the United States in the early 2000s and tested various American aircraft there (they were not spoken very well, by the way), one day was enough to understand how to fly this aircraft.
True, it was a simple flight. More serious flight training is needed to conduct combat operations. If a pilot is trained and even flew a MiG-29 or Su-27, then in two to four months he can learn not only piloting, but also air combat on the F-16.
< p>— Foreigners will. But on earth. Because the main problem is the maintenance of these aircraft. Who will be preparing directly on the ground? There is such a version that it will be foreign engineers and technicians. And most likely, it will be so, because it is much more difficult to train Ukrainian mechanics.
Another snag — where will the base airfield be located? If on the territory of Ukraine, then a large number of specialists who are able to service aircraft will be required. It is unlikely that Ukraine has so many mechanics and other specialists. If we talk about basing on the territory of Poland, then the question arises that the airfields from which I will take off these aircraft will become a legitimate target for us. And this is already an escalation of hostilities and the development of the NMD into an open conflict with NATO and, therefore, the threat of the start of a third world war. Therefore, I doubt that a serious decision will be made on these aircraft.
— Ukraine has clearly defined why it needs these planes. This is an opportunity to intercept drones, including «Gernay-2», conducting anti-aircraft battles. Considering that the F-16 has long-range missiles and more advanced sights, fighters can also be used to strike at ground and sea targets, as a means of air support for troops during an offensive. Here are the tasks that should decide F-16. NATO tacitly agrees with this.
— I doubt it. There is a possibility of transferring these aircraft, but at this stage it is not so great.
— Our S-300, S-400 systems allow us to destroy these aircraft at a long range.
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— We need hundreds, by and large. But in fact we are talking about dozens. A dozen aircraft will not change the situation. But if the aviation forces are concentrated in one strategic direction, for example, Zaporozhye, where the most powerful Ukrainian offensive is being prepared now — that's another matter. Perhaps we will disrupt the offensive, perhaps — No. It all depends on how the military situation develops, but a dozen or two fighters may be enough to support this offensive.