Can F-16s counter Russian guided bomb launches: aviation expert explains

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Of course, it is possible to counteract enemy aircraft launching guided bombs, and even more so as a result of the expansion of the F-16 fleet. Recently, the Netherlands announced that we (Ukraine - ed.) will soon receive an additional batch of these aircraft. I would note that this happened during the visit of the Dutch Defense Minister to Kharkiv, so this is a significant signal that this batch of F-16s will have enhanced capabilities to counter Russian aircraft that launch guided bombs. As for the guided bombs, the Russians are actively trying to modernize any elements of these bombs," the aviation expert noted.

According to Khrapchynskyi, Russia has been modernizing its guided bombs, particularly through improvements to the planning and correction module. These upgrades include enlarging the wings to extend their operational range and enhancing their resistance to electronic warfare. Additionally, modifications to the Kometa antenna, which aids in the guidance of these bombs, have been implemented to improve accuracy and reliability.

"The Russians view this modernization of guided bombs as an effective tool for impacting society by targeting civilians. Therefore, they will likely continue efforts to enhance their range, even considering the addition of a jet thruster to extend the range to 120 km. While F-16s, in conjunction with AIM-120 missiles that can engage targets at a distance of 185 km, are well-equipped to counter this threat and neutralize Russian aircraft, we must not overlook the importance of countermeasures. Strikes deep into Russian territory using our drones, which have operational ranges exceeding 100 kilometers, will also play a crucial role in our strategy," Anatolii Khrapchynskyi concluded.

• On October 6, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans visited Kharkiv and announced the delivery of the first F-16s to Ukraine and the allocation of €400 million.