Ukrainian fighter pilot says F-16 planes will unveil our potential, NATO has much to learn from us
Ukrainian military pilots are performing tasks that are not even technically provided for by their aircraft, and operating using modern tactics; Western F-16 fighters will fully reveal the potential of pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Source: Pilot Vadym ‘Karaya’ Voroshylov, in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda
Quote: "A lot can be said, but I will only say that we are performing tasks that technically were not even laid down at the design stage of our aircraft.
Enjoying the advantage, the enemy operates according to textbooks on tactical and fire training. We operate using more modern methods that are not laid out in any of the textbooks of any country in the world.
Western-type fighters will help us to fully develop our potential."
Details: He added that Ukrainian pilots have very limited technical capabilities, but they try to work efficiently in severe conditions. Voroshylov also agreed with the statement that NATO pilots will have something to learn from the Ukrainians after the war.
At the same time, he emphasised that the F-16, which is one of the most mass-produced aircraft in its class in the world, is much needed at this stage. Ukraine will be able to service it, and thanks to its Western partners, it will not experience a shortage of ammunition.
Quote: "We can, of course, consider different types, for example, Gripen, Eurofighter [fighter jets made and used in European military forces]. They are more resistant to our airfield infrastructure, but for all that, they are not mass-produced. There is no, let's say, ‘secondary market’ for such aircrafts in the world.
If you consider the time after the victory, then there is a lot to choose from. Of course, there are aircraft that, I would say, are almost perfect in terms of combat capabilities. These are F-22s, F-35s. But at the moment, it is the F-16 that will greatly improve the situation and help our defence forces on many levels."
For reference: Vadym Voroshylov is a 28-year-old military pilot and one of the best Ukrainian fighter pilots. On 12 October, Vadym destroyed 5 Russian drones in Vinnytsia and ejected, taking the fighter away from populated areas so as to avoid civilian casualties. After Vadym's heroic deed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded him the title of Hero of Ukraine, and the locals nicknamed the pilot the "Ghost of Vinnytsia".
Background:
- One of the reasons for the delay in the transfer of Western fighters to Ukraine is the long-term training of Ukrainian pilots who are used to working on Soviet-type aircraft. The House of Representatives of the US Congress has approved funding for the training of Ukrainian pilots on US fighter jets, allocating US$100 million for this purpose.
- Earlier, Ukraine’s Air Force chose a group of pilots who can begin training on modern foreign fighters, and it is now up to Western partners to decide on the types of aircraft that can be provided to Ukraine.
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