F-16s have already carried out their first combat sorties in Ukraine: The Telegraph reveals details

According to the publication, modern military aircraft have so far only been used for “air defense”.

Ukraine has already carried out its first combat missions with F-16s following the long-awaited arrival of the American-made fighters, The Telegraph reports .

According to the publication, modern military aircraft have so far been used only for “air defense”. A representative of the Ukrainian Air Force “did not deny this”.

Ukraine is expected to receive 79 F-16 fighters from Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. Oleksiy Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy, said the planes would help challenge Russia’s “total dominance” in the skies over the Black Sea. But Western aviation experts warn that the warplanes will not be something that will ensure victory for the Ukrainians.

Earlier media reports said that only six Ukrainian pilots had qualified to fly the F-16, meaning they would only be able to fly a limited number of sorties per day. There are also suggestions that the planes would be limited to an air defense role due to the threat posed by Russian anti-aircraft missile systems located closer to the front lines.

(C)UNIAN 2024