When we have F-16s, we will win this war – Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman

He told about this on Espreso TV.

"I will tell you more, when we have F-16s, we will win this war. If these aircraft come to Ukraine, they will be on combat duty in different regions at our operational airfields. We have emphasised to our partners that Ukraine needs F-16s because we cannot cover the entire territory of Ukraine with the air defence systems that have existed since Soviet times. We receive supplies of Western air defence systems: NASAMS, IRIS-T, Patriot, and now SAMP/T, as well as air defence systems of the ground forces, including Crotale, Gepard, and Avenger. The country's territory and the length of the state border are large, and the front line, including Belarus, Transnistria, and the Black Sea coast, is more than 2,500 kilometres. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to block it with air defence systems. That's why we need the F-16, which has anti-aircraft missile cover from below and fighter cover from above, so it is also part of air defence. The fighter can work on air targets both from below and above. Where there is no air defence, the F-16 will operate," explained the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command.

Ihnat added that Soviet MiGs and Su are unable to effectively and efficiently target kamikaze drones, such as Shahed, as well as cruise missiles. And the F-16 of today's modification is designed to become part of air defence and effectively intercept these types of air targets.

"The second point is that with this fighter, the effectiveness of using HARM missiles, JDAM guided bombs, and so on will increase significantly. The F-16 will help our ground troops quickly de-occupy Ukrainian territories as it will strike enemy command posts, military groups, and logistics supply chains. These fighters are also capable of restoring order at sea, having anti-ship missiles. The F-16 is a multi-purpose aircraft that can engage ground, air and surface targets, as it is armed with Harpoon missiles, among other things," Ihnat said.

• On May 19, at the G7 summit, US President Joe Biden supported the training of the Ukrainian military on F-16s.

• CNN also reports that the United States will not interfere with European partners in the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine.

• On May 20, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the desired timeline for receiving the first F-16s