A Ukrainian ally is sending Kyiv F-16s for deep strikes into Russia's rear

Ukraine will soon receive F-16 Fighting Falcons from one of its Western allies but now that partner is willing to help Ukraine use its American-made fighter jets to strike deep into Russian territory

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide revealed at a briefing with Dymtro Kuebla, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, that Kyiv increased its ability to use F-16 fighter jets to strike Russia passed its borders according to Ukrainska Pravda.

"This is one of the reasons why we are glad to participate in the F-16 fighter programme, where we will transfer Norwegian F-16s, modernised and in good shape, alongside the Danes and the Dutch," Barth Eide said.

Norway's Foreign Minister did not rule out the possibility that his country would provide additional capabilities that would allow Kyiv to strike deeper into Russia and said the F-16s on the battlefield would significantly contribute to Ukraine's capabilities.

Norway intends to send at least 22 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of a larger coalition of nations arming Kyiv with the deadly jets according to media reports, and at least twelve of these planned plans are in servicable condition. But will these plans make a difference in the war?

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is one of the best weapons platforms that Ukraine’s allies and partners have offered to give the embattled nation. But whether or not this fourth-generation fighter will make a difference in the war is difficult to say.

The Council on Foreign Relations wrote that the F-16 will provide an additional layer of defense alongside Ukraine’s air defense artillery systems. It will also be used as a tool to intercept inbound missiles. 

However, as a multirole fighter jet, the F-16s real value to the Ukrainians is in its ability to provide air support to ground forces, a capability Ukraine lacked during its offensive back in the summer of 2023. 

The F-16 will also help Ukraine deter Russia from gaining full control over additional air space in Ukraine, which in turn will prevent Moscow from using its air assets to provide close air support on the front.

The National Interest’s Peter Suicu reported the F-16 could be a game-changer for Kyiv, noting the fighter could “provide a strong deterrent and highly effective countermeasure against Russia's aircraft.”

In July 2023, Suicu’s colleague also tackled the question of whether the F-16 would be a game-changer for Ukraine and outlined several key points that make the fighter jet a great tool for the Ukrainians. 

First, in its air-to-air role, the F-16 has an edge when it comes to agility, maneuverability, and combat radius over anything that any Russian peer threat aircraft can bring to bear against it in an aerial dogfight. 

Moreover, in its air-to-ground role, the F-16 can use a wide variety of weapons against a target. Everything from conventional bombs to laser-guided munitions and glide bombs can be fitted for ground assaults. 

The F-16 can also fly at an operational range of 500 miles or roughly 800 kilometers, a distance that will allow Ukraine to strike deep within Russia if the United States gives its permission to launch such attacks. 

However, despite all the positives that the F-16 can bring to Ukraine, it might not be the game-changing weapons system many were hoping it would be for Kyiv. One problem is the fighters' logistical requirements. 

Keeping a sophisticated plane like the F-16 Fighting Falcon flying takes a lot of support on the ground. The Council on Foreign Relations noted that a typical package of twelve fighters needs 250 maintenance staff. 

“These include mechanics and airframe specialists, crew chiefs, munitions loaders, and aircrew life support,” the council added. “To create the targeting and mission packages, a robust team of intelligence analysts and targeting experts is required to ensure operational success.”

The F-16 will also need spare parts, more munitions, and more infrastructure in order to be successful, which will cost Ukraine resources. For example, air defense systems will need to be spared to protect F-16 air bases. 

“Airfields must be protected from air strikes, which means it will be necessary to deploy the air defense systems if it has not already been done,” Viktor Kevliuk, an expert at Ukraine’s Center for Defense Strategies, explained to the Kyiv Independent. 

In October 2023, RAND Corporation’s Michael Bohert wrote in an article for Defense News that Ukraine’s F-16s weren’t going to win Kyiv the war but added ensuring Kyiv had a well-equipped and sizable force would help lead to success. 

“Only ground victories and unacceptable Russian losses will force Putin to negotiate,” Bohert wrote, which the F-16 can assist with achieving. “The most important support to Ukraine is still artillery, medical equipment, infantry weapons, ground vehicles, and drones.”