The United States is sending decommissioned F-16s to Ukraine to support its fleet of European fighter jets.
Delivery of decommissioned F-16s to Ukraine
At the end of April 2025, images circulated showing partially dismantled US F-16s, without wings or engines, being loaded onto a Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane in Tucson, Arizona. These aircraft, which had been withdrawn from active service and stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, were transported to Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in Poland, a logistics hub for Western military aid to Ukraine.
According to the US Air Force, these F-16s are “completely non-operational,” lacking essential components such as engines and radars, and cannot be restored to flight. They are intended to provide spare parts to support the fleet of operational F-16s donated to Ukraine by European countries.
European support in F-16s
Several European countries have pledged nearly 100 F-16s to Ukraine:
- Netherlands: 42 aircraft
- Denmark: 19
- Belgium: 30
- Norway: 6
These aircraft, mainly F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU models, are used for air defense and ground attack missions. Some are also used to train Ukrainian pilots at the European F-16 Training Center in Romania.
Logistical and operational challenges
The introduction of the F-16s represents a major logistical challenge for Ukraine, which must integrate a sophisticated Western aircraft into an air force historically equipped with Soviet hardware. Maintenance, pilot training, and the availability of spare parts are crucial issues.
The delivery of decommissioned F-16s for spare parts is intended to alleviate the shortage of critical components, such as turbines, radar modules, and hydraulic systems, which are essential for keeping the aircraft airworthy.
Combat losses
Since their deployment, Ukraine has lost at least two F-16s in combat missions.
- On August 26, 2024, pilot Oleksii Mes died during an air defense mission. His aircraft was reportedly shot down during a massive attack by Russian missiles and drones.
- On April 12, 2025, pilot Pavlo Ivanov lost his life when his F-16 was shot down, probably by a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile or an R-37 air-to-air missile.
The operational capabilities of Ukrainian F-16s
Ukrainian F-16s are equipped for a variety of missions:
- Air defense: AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles (short range) and AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles (medium range)
- Ground attack: GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (range up to 110 km)
- Electronic survival: AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure pods
These configurations enable the F-16s to carry out air patrol and precision strike missions, despite Ukraine’s lack of in-flight refueling capabilities.
US support for maintenance and training
On May 2, 2025, the US Department of State approved a potential sale of $310.5 million to Ukraine for training, maintenance, and support for the F-16s. This package includes spare parts, maintenance equipment, software, and technical publications.
This support aims to enhance interoperability between Ukrainian and Western air forces and ensure the operational sustainability of F-16s in the ongoing conflict.
The delivery of decommissioned F-16s for spare parts illustrates a pragmatic approach by the US to supporting Ukraine without directly providing operational aircraft. This logistical support, combined with European donations and pilot training, strengthens Ukraine’s air capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
However, challenges remain: technical integration, complex maintenance, combat losses, and dependence on spare parts. Ukraine’s success in maintaining and effectively using its F-16 fleet will depend on continued international support and its ability to overcome these logistical and operational obstacles.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.