For experienced pilots, flying an F-16 per se is not rocket science. “The pilots know most of the basic techniques.” This is what ex-army commander Mart de Kruif said in response to Kiev’s announcement that Ukrainian pilots could be prepared to fly American planes in six months.
According to Kruif, the challenge is to keep the aircraft airworthy: in other words, maintenance. “You have to know the device inside and out,” she says. “Sometimes we spend years here training good mechanics. In addition, all kinds of advanced testing equipment are required. Getting all this on the ground in Ukraine? You don’t do it in a few weeks or months.’
Russia has not yet deployed much of its air force
Still, none of this has to be a drama, according to the former commander. ‘We see that air superiority does not play such a big role in this war. This is because Ukraine is a very large country. And there are many weapons that can shoot very far and with great accuracy. Furthermore, Russia has not yet deployed much of its air force.’
“For example, you can’t fly Ukrainians from Poland, because then that country will indirectly participate in the war”
Kruif stresses that if Ukraine is going to use F-16s, it is essential that they take off within its territory. “For example, you can’t let Ukrainians fly out of Poland, because that country would indirectly participate in the war.”