Ukraine: “Our F-16s are not capable of competing with Su-35s in direct combat”

Yuriy Ignat, the former spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force Command, recently made a notable assertion regarding the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has received. In an interview with Ukrainian media, Ignat expressed concerns that these aircraft, supplied by Western allies, do not possess the modern capabilities necessary to effectively engage Russia’s Su-35 jets in direct aerial confrontations.

His comments, which emerged early in the day, quickly gained traction across various news platforms and social media, prompting discussions about the operational effectiveness of the jets now in Ukraine’s arsenal.

Ignat’s observations are particularly significant given the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where maintaining air superiority is crucial. His statements highlight the difficulties Ukraine faces in incorporating these long-awaited aircraft into its military operations.

The remarks have ignited conversations regarding the age and technological status of the donated F-16s, the expectations surrounding their performance, and their comparative effectiveness against Russia’s sophisticated fighter jets.

Drawing from his extensive background with Ukraine’s air forces, Ignat pointed out that the F-16s provided to Ukraine are older variants, lacking the advanced technology required to compete with the Su-35, a Russian aircraft renowned for its maneuverability and superior weapon systems.

Ignat has pointed out that the existing gap in capabilities places Ukrainian pilots at a disadvantage during direct aerial confrontations. While he did not detail specific aircraft models or their origins, his message was unmistakable: although these planes represent a valuable enhancement to Ukraine’s military resources, they do not possess the necessary capabilities to effectively counter Russia’s air superiority.

His remarks highlight a growing concern in Ukraine regarding the speed and quality of military assistance from allied nations, particularly as the conflict extends into its third year with no resolution in sight.

The process of acquiring F-16s for Ukraine has been slow, characterized by extensive negotiations and logistical challenges. By early 2025, Ukraine had received a limited number of these aircraft from Western allies, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and potentially the United States.

Current reports indicate that approximately 20 F-16s have been delivered, although precise numbers are unclear due to security issues and inconsistent statements from officials. The Netherlands committed to supplying 24 jets in 2023, with deliveries starting in mid-2024, while Denmark has pledged 19, some of which are already on the ground.

The United States has contributed by training Ukrainian pilots and offering support, but it remains uncertain whether any American F-16s have been transferred directly. Looking forward, Ukraine aims to acquire more jets—potentially up to 80—over the long term, based on earlier projections from its air force.

However, these aspirations hinge on the willingness of NATO nations to provide additional aircraft and the time required to prepare them for operational use.

Initially, the arrival of these jets was celebrated as a transformative development, symbolizing Western support for Ukraine’s defense efforts. Nevertheless, Ignat’s observations reveal a recurring challenge for Kyiv: the equipment received often comes with inherent limitations.

Numerous F-16s being supplied to Ukraine are older variants that have been retired from service in their original countries and subsequently refurbished. Although these aircraft are operational, they do not possess the modern upgrades found in the latest models utilized by NATO air forces.

Ukraine has expressed a pressing need for at least 128 fighter jets to achieve a comprehensive modernization of its air fleet, a target that appears challenging to reach given the slow pace of deliveries. Currently, the emphasis is on optimizing the existing resources, despite officials like Ignat acknowledging the obstacles that lie ahead.

From the Russian perspective, there has been a longstanding confidence in the Su-35’s capability to counter Ukraine’s F-16s, even before their deployment. In 2023, as discussions about providing Kyiv with Western aircraft intensified, Russian military analysts and state media conveyed optimism regarding the superiority of their own jets.

The Su-35, a cornerstone of the Russian air force, is a fourth-generation fighter equipped with enhancements that improve its maneuverability and firepower. Russian commentators have highlighted its sophisticated radar systems, long-range missiles, and thrust-vectoring engines, which enable it to outperform adversaries in aerial combat.

Additionally, they have suggested that the F-16s expected to arrive in Ukraine will likely be older models, a prediction that Ignat’s remarks seem to validate. This perception has reinforced Moscow’s narrative that, while Western support is substantial, it will not significantly alter the balance of power in favor of Ukraine.

Russian officials have also underscored their air force’s extensive combat experience, acquired through years of operations in Syria and now in Ukraine. The Su-35 has played a crucial role in Russia’s military strategy, being deployed to target ground installations and maintain dominance in contested airspace.

Military analysts in Russia assert that even with the introduction of F-16s, Ukraine would face significant challenges in countering Russian air superiority, primarily due to the differences in pilot training and the overwhelming number of aircraft that Moscow can deploy. Although these claims may contain elements of propaganda, they indicate a strategic confidence in the capabilities of the Su-35, which Ukraine’s current air fleet must confront in combat situations.

So, how is Ukraine utilizing its F-16s? Since their arrival in 2024, these jets have primarily been assigned to defensive operations, including intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles.

A significant achievement occurred in January 2025, when a Ukrainian pilot reportedly shot down six cruise missiles in a single mission, demonstrating the aircraft’s effectiveness against specific threats. However, their involvement in direct air-to-air engagements seems to be limited. Comments from military officials suggest that Ukraine is cautious about engaging Su-35s in one-on-one confrontations, likely due to the associated risks.

Instead, the F-16s are being operated with caution, often remaining behind the front lines to safeguard urban areas and critical infrastructure from missile strikes. This strategy underscores their importance as a limited asset and the operational limitations they face.

One critical drawback is the absence of advanced armaments. The F-16s provided to Ukraine are said to be outfitted with older missile systems, such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, lacking the latest variants that could enhance their range and precision.

Without long-range munitions, Ukrainian pilots must approach their targets—Russian aircraft included—more closely than their Su-35 adversaries, who can engage from a safer distance. Furthermore, the jets’ radar and electronic warfare capabilities may not be as advanced as those of Russia, further skewing the balance in favor of Moscow.

Training also presents a challenge; while Ukrainian pilots have participated in rigorous training programs in the U.S. and Europe, they are still in the process of adapting to a platform that is significantly different from the Soviet-era MiGs and Sukhois they have previously operated.

Analysts from BulgarianMilitary.com have provided insights into the current situation, highlighting that Ukraine’s F-16s are being utilized across various roles—air defense, ground support, and occasional strikes—resulting in a dilution of their effectiveness due to insufficient numbers and equipment to excel in any specific area.

The analysis indicates that Kyiv’s strategy emphasizes survival over direct confrontation, opting to reserve the jets for critical missions instead of exposing them to aerial battles against Russia’s more numerous and advanced aircraft. While this prudent strategy is practical, it restricts the F-16s’ capacity to alter the dynamics of the air war, underscoring Ignat’s observations regarding their competitive limitations.

In examining the advantages of the Su-35, the differences become quite pronounced. The Su-35, which was introduced in the early 2000s and has undergone upgrades, can reach speeds of approximately 1,500 miles per hour and has a combat radius that exceeds 900 miles. Its Irbis-E radar is capable of tracking multiple targets at extended ranges, and it is equipped with the R-77 missile, which can engage aircraft from over 60 miles away.

The jet’s supermaneuverability, facilitated by thrust-vectoring engines, enables it to execute tight turns and evade threats effectively. In contrast, Ukraine’s F-16s—likely A/B or early C/D variants from the 1980s or 1990s—have a maximum speed of around 1,300 miles per hour and depend on less advanced radar systems.

While their maneuverability is commendable, it does not match the Su-35’s agility, and their weapon range is limited, placing pilots in a more reactive stance during combat situations.

The advantage of the Su-35 extends beyond its technical specifications; it is also a matter of numbers. Russia has more than 100 of these aircraft in service, significantly outnumbering Ukraine’s limited fleet of F-16s. This numerical superiority means that Ukrainian pilots may encounter several opponents simultaneously, a situation where even a contemporary F-16 could find itself at a disadvantage.

Additionally, Russia benefits from a robust maintenance and logistics framework, relying on a domestic supply chain for parts and repairs. In contrast, Ukraine’s reliance on foreign assistance can lead to delays in support. These elements contribute to a formidable challenge for Kyiv, a reality that Ignat’s remarks highlight with stark honesty.

What is the status of Ukraine’s F-16s? Most are thought to be F-16A/B variants, originally manufactured in the 1970s and 1980s, with some having undergone upgrades to the “Mid-Life Update” standard in the 1990s. These aircraft are equipped with the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, available in single-seat or dual-seat configurations, and feature a radar system like the APG-66, which, while adequate for its era, is now considered outdated.

Although some jets may have received modern avionics or targeting pods during refurbishment, none seem to be equipped with the AESA radar or stealth capabilities found in the modern F-16Vs used by NATO.

Their armament includes short-range Sidewinders for close engagements and AMRAAMs for beyond-visual-range combat, although the missile variants are likely older, with effective ranges of 20 to 50 miles—significantly less than Russia’s R-77.

Standard defensive measures such as chaff and flares are present, but electronic countermeasures may not be sufficient to neutralize the Su-35’s advanced sensors.

As of March 11, 2025, Ignat’s comments serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ukraine. While the F-16s have enhanced its defensive capabilities, with pilots like Vadim Voroshilov—known as “Karaya”—commending their role in safeguarding urban areas, the aspiration for air parity with Russia remains a distant goal.