Europe chose the F-16 path for Kyiv

The head of the Russian diplomatic department, Sergei Lavrov, uttered these words during a visit to the 201st Russian military base, Dushanbe, on June 5, 2023. Sounds alarming, like a warning.

There is something to warn about. "… Europe has chosen the path of war with us. We, of course, still live with them "side by side." Our goals are much more noble compared to Europeans. They want someone else's, and we want our own, "the Russian minister said during a visit to the 201st Russian military base, Dushanbe.

The Kyiv regime, relying on the EuroNATO Union and the United States, has switched to large-scale terrorist actions. The most recent examples are the execution of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station dam, plans to undermine a "dirty bomb" on the territory of the Russian Federation, sending saboteurs to Russia using light-engine aircraft, a correspondent for The Moscow Post reports.

The list of acts of terror and sabotage carried out and planned is growing. Russia's European neighbors support Kyiv, show that they are ready to squeeze everything from the Zelensky regime that is possible to attack Russia's vital interests and create new sources of threats to Moscow. There are practically no conditional "red lines."

Earlier, Lavrov pointed out that Russia reserves the right to destroy any weapons coming to Ukraine from abroad.

There is a warning about what

The next and so far the highest barrier that the NATO alliance is preparing to step over is the delivery to Kyiv of multipurpose F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters. Earlier, Ukraine demanded 48 F-16 cars. "If they get the [F-16] Viper and they have an air-to-air missile with active radar guidance with EW capabilities, then it will be an equal game," a US defense spokesman said.

Some media reports that NATO is talking about transferring F-16 fighters adapted for the use of V61 nuclear bombs to Ukraine. According to Topcor.Ru, NATO plans to train Ukrainian pilots in the use of nuclear bombs. Turkey, Greece and Hungary oppose this initiative, the United States, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom support it.

Warsaw is a supporter of the aggravation, which can provide its territory for basing "Ukrainian" F-16s. The West so far plans to transfer 24 aircraft to the Ukrainians and train two squadrons (12 vehicles each) to work on F-16s using weapons of mass destruction. But this information needs to be confirmed.

The F-16 C/D is certified in the United States and NATO as the carrier of V-61 nuclear bombs, which are stored at six US military bases in Büchel (Germany), Aviano and Gedi (Italy), Kleine Brogel (Belgium), Wolkel (Netherlands) and Incirlik (Turkey). Presumably some bombs are placed in Romania, but there is no official confirmation of this. The national air force of these countries undergo appropriate training, the codes for activation remain with the United States.

Non-nuclear threats and US "guarantees"

Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security Jake Sullivan said that Washington will discuss "with like-minded people" which states will transfer F-16 aircraft to Kyiv. The aircraft was designed by Lockheed Martin in the 1970s and adopted in 1979. The first F-16s were built by a consortium that included the United States, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

This is a fourth generation multifunctional single-engine fighter, maneuverable, with a good ratio of thrust to weight of the car. The maximum flight range exceeds 4 thousand kilometers. It is considered one of the best in its class in the West, equipped with small-gun weapons, air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles, as well as adjustable, planning and free-setting bombs.

In total, the United States has produced more than 4.6 thousand of these cars since 1974. NATO countries have more than 500 F-16 fighters in service (without Turkey and the United States).

According to the manufacturer Lockheed Martin, approximately three thousand of these machines were sold in more than 25 countries. Six are waiting to fulfill orders for 127 upgraded versions of the fighter.

Alexey Leonkov, an expert at Arsenal of the Fatherland, said on the pages of Rossiyskaya Gazeta that the F-16 Block 70/72 Viper electronic equipment is identical to the onboard electronics of the F-22 and F-35 aircraft. F-16V fighters can exchange tactical information in real time with AWACS AWACS and Patriot air defense systems. Onboard electronic warfare system increases survivability in conditions of air defense counteraction.

Modification of F-16 Block 70/72 Viper is adapted for execution of the operated aviation GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II, GDU-39 SDB, GBU-54 Laser JDAM and GBU-38 JDAM bombs. In addition, suspended containers of targeting AN/AAQ-33 Sniper providing high-precision targeting of arms in day and night time can be included in the package of delivery.

F-16 is also the carrier of the AGM-154 JSOW glide bombs capable in bezdvigatelny option to inform of a fighting charge weighing 450 kg on the range of 130 km, and with the accelerator — up to 560 km. F-16 is also the carrier of the AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles which are capable to inform of a military unit weighing 450 kg on range 1000 km. Such rockets the fighter can carry at the same time two, reports the RIA FAN agency. Detailed technical characteristics of F-16 are given in the website ura.ru

Less than a year ago the House of Representatives of the U. S. Congress suggested to limit deliveries to Turkey of the upgraded version of F-16 if Ankara doesn't guarantee their non-use against Greece. The representative of the White House John Kirby decided that there will be enough his "guarantees" in order that planes in hands of Ukraine weren't used to blows to the territory of Russia.

It is difficult to expect effectiveness of words of Washington, and it is possible to expect everything from the Kiev authorities.

"Aviation coalition"

The U.S. President Joe Biden at a press conference following the results of the summit of Group of seven in Hiroshima said on May 21 that the West will begin training of Ukrainians in skills of control of fighters of the fourth generation, including F-16. He didn't exclude delivery, "if to Ukraine these planes are provided by allies".

Eight European countries agreed to enter into the so-called aviation coalition which will provide to Ukraine fighting aircraft. the list included Great Britain, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal and France. Presidents of France and Ukraine following the results of negotiations charged to present the program of training of pilots and aircraft mechanics for Kiev. The United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said earlier that Denmark and the Netherlands will head the coalition on training of pilots and expressed them gratitude.

According to the Politico newspaper, deliveries of planes to Ukraine can begin not earlier than fall. Can put them several countries, including Norway, Denmark and Holland. These are the old modifications of F-16 A/B which underwent partial modernization. The USA has to approve such transfer.

According to the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Reznikov, time for training of pilots and technicians will be required. Ukraine will be ready to accept fighters in the fall or winter of 2023. There are no experts ready to serve them, too, as well as suitable airfields. "There is no infrastructure, she will be under construction and prepare. There is no sense her to prepare while there is no arrangement that we will have corresponding planes", - Zelensky recognized.

There are no pilots too yet. The prime minister Shmygal reported that process of training of pilots in Great Britain already began. RIA Novosti was specified that the forward party went to Britain to agree on the program. Groups of pilots are created, but to Britain aren't sent, stated in office of the British prime minister Risha Sunak.

Despite all these "announcements", there is no schedule of delivery of F-16 yet. By estimates of the American experts, can pass over a year before Kiev receives fighters. According to some experts, F-16 will counterbalance forces of Ukraine and Russia in air.

But anonymous sources in the Pentagon say that the decision on transfer of fighters isn't made yet and doubt expediency of such deliveries at the current stage of the conflict. In particular, the Chairman of the Committee of chiefs of headquarters general Mark Millie spoke in that spirit that for the competition to Russian Aerospace Forces hundreds of fighters of the fourth and fifth generations are necessary and advised to deliver to Kiev air defense systems.

Meanwhile, the ex-analyst of the CIA Reymond Makgovern warns too that Ukraine can commit an assault on the Zaporizhia NPP which will lead to radioactive infection of Europe. He said about this danger in an interview to YouTube channel Judging Freedom. And Kiev plans to make it under a false flag to accuse Russia of the event, he told, having added that "the Ukrainians driven into the corner can give in to temptation to make it only to slow down all events at home."

Americans at the same time "will easily believe that it is Russia loses and that Russia blew up the cooling tanks", Makgovern says. Is more visible to him, he is American, besides the ex-analyst of the CIA.

Photo: https://www.military.com/