US-Made F-16s Adds Teeth To Ukraine's Firepower, But No Match For Russia’s Su-35: Expert

Yuriy Ignat, a former spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force Command, delivered a shocking remark regarding the country's recently acquired F-16 fighter jets.

Speaking to Ukrainian media, Ignat stated that the aircraft, supplied by Western allies, are not advanced enough to effectively rival Russia's Su-35 jets in direct aerial combat.

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According to a report by BulgarianMilitary.com, the remarks made by Ignat, which emerged in the early hours in Ukraine, swiftly spread across news outlets and social media, raising concerns about the capabilities of the fighter jets now in Kyiv's possession.

Ignat's comments come at a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, where air superiority remains a decisive factor. His statements highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in integrating these long-awaited aircraft into its military strategy.

His observations have sparked discussions regarding the age and condition of the donated F-16s, the expectations placed upon them, and how they compare with Russia's advanced fighter jets.

Ignat's viewpoint is informed by his extensive experience within Ukraine's air force, where he served as a spokesperson until recently. He stressed that the F-16s delivered to Ukraine are older models, lacking the advanced technology necessary to match the Su-35, a Russian jet renowned for its agility and sophisticated weaponry.

According to Ignat, this disparity places Ukrainian pilots at a disadvantage in direct aerial confrontations. While he did not specify the exact models or their origins, his message was clear: these aircraft, though a significant boost to Ukraine's arsenal, fall short of what is needed to challenge Russia's aerial dominance directly.

His remarks reflect a broader concern in Ukraine about the pace and quality of military assistance from its allies, particularly as the war enters its third year with no clear resolution in sight.

Ukraine's acquisition of F-16s has been a gradual process, hindered by months of negotiations and logistical obstacles. By early 2025, the country had received a limited number of these jets from Western partners, including the Netherlands, Denmark, and potentially the United States.

Reports indicate that approximately 20 F-16s have been delivered so far, although precise figures remain unclear due to security concerns and conflicting statements from officials. The Netherlands committed to providing 24 jets in 2023, with deliveries commencing in mid-2024, while Denmark pledged 19, some of which have already arrived.

The United States has played a role in training Ukrainian pilots and offering logistical support, though it is uncertain whether any American F-16s have been directly transferred. Looking ahead, Ukraine hopes to secure more-potentially up to 80 jets-over the long term, according to earlier estimates from its air force. However, these projections are contingent on NATO countries' willingness to donate additional aircraft and the time required to prepare them for combat.

The arrival of these jets was initially celebrated as a game-changer, symbolising the West's commitment to Ukraine's defence. Yet Ignat's critique underscores a recurring issue Kyiv has faced: much of the equipment it receives comes with limitations.

Many of the F-16s are older variants, retired from service in donor countries and refurbished for Ukraine. While still operational, they lack the upgrades found in the modern models used by NATO air forces.

Ukraine has been vocal about its need for at least 128 fighter jets to fully modernise its air force, a goal that remains distant given the current rate of deliveries. For now, the focus is on maximising the effectiveness of the available aircraft, even as figures such as Ignat highlight the challenges ahead.

From the Russian perspective, confidence in the Su-35's superiority over Ukraine's F-16s predates their battlefield deployment. As early as 2023, when discussions about supplying Kyiv with Western jets gained traction, Russian military analysts and state media expressed optimism regarding their aircraft's capabilities.

The Su-35, a key component of Russia's air force, is a fourth-generation fighter with enhancements that provide advantages in manoeuvrability and firepower. Russian commentators have emphasised its advanced radar systems, long-range missiles, and thrust-vectoring engines-features that enable it to outmanoeuvre opponents in dogfights.

They also predicted that the F-16s reaching Ukraine would be older models, a claim now seemingly confirmed by Ignat's statement. This assertion has reinforced Moscow's narrative that Western military aid, while significant, will not decisively shift the balance of power in Ukraine's favour.

Russian officials have also highlighted their air force's combat experience, gained over years of operations in Syria and Ukraine. The Su-35 has played a pivotal role in Russia's campaign, used for both air superiority missions and striking ground targets.

Military experts in Russia have argued that even with F-16s, Ukraine will struggle to challenge Russian air dominance, citing disparities in pilot training and the sheer number of aircraft available to Moscow. While these claims contain elements of propaganda, they reflect a confidence in the Su-35's capabilities that Ukraine's current fleet must now confront.

So how is Ukraine actually utilising its F-16s? Since their arrival in 2024, they have primarily been deployed for defensive operations, such as intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles.

A notable success occurred in January 2025, when a Ukrainian pilot reportedly downed six cruise missiles in a single sortie, demonstrating the aircraft's potential against specific threats. However, their role in direct air-to-air combat appears to be limited. Ignat's remarks suggest Ukraine avoids engaging them in one-on-one encounters with Su-35s, likely due to the risks involved.

Instead, the jets are being employed cautiously, often staying behind the front lines to protect cities and infrastructure from missile attacks. This strategic approach reflects both their value as a scarce resource and the constraints imposed by their capabilities.

One significant limitation is the lack of advanced weaponry. The F-16s delivered to Ukraine are reportedly equipped with older missile systems, such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, but not the latest versions that would enhance their range and precision.

Without long-range munitions, Ukrainian pilots must operate closer to their targets-including Russian jets-than their Su-35 adversaries, who can engage from a greater distance. Additionally, the jets' radar and electronic warfare systems may not match the sophistication of Russia's, further skewing the balance in Moscow's favour.

Training is another challenge; although Ukrainian pilots have undergone intensive programmes in the US and Europe, they are still adjusting to an aircraft vastly different from the Soviet-era MiGs and Sukhois they have traditionally flown.

Analysts from BulgarianMilitary.com have noted that Ukraine's F-16s are being stretched across multiple roles-air defence, ground support, and occasional offensive strikes-without the numbers or equipment to excel in any one area.

The platform suggests that Kyiv's strategy prioritises survival over direct confrontation, preserving the jets for high-impact missions rather than risking them in air battles against Russia's more numerous and advanced fighters. While this cautious approach is pragmatic, it limits the F-16s' ability to shift the dynamics of the air war, reinforcing Ignat's concerns about their limitations.

Comparing the Su-35 and the F-16 reveals stark differences. Introduced in the early 2000s and since upgraded, the Su-35 boasts a top speed of approximately 1,500 miles per hour and a combat radius exceeding 900 miles.

Its Irbis-E radar can track multiple targets at long range, and it carries the R-77 missile, capable of striking aircraft over 60 miles away.

The jet's supermanoeuvrability, enabled by thrust-vectoring engines, allows it to perform sharp turns and evade threats with ease.

By contrast, Ukraine's F-16s-most likely A/B or early C/D variants from the 1980s and 1990s-have a top speed of around 1,300 miles per hour and use less powerful radar systems. Their manoeuvrability is respectable but lacks the Su-35's agility, while their weapons have shorter ranges, placing Ukrainian pilots in a defensive rather than offensive position during combat.

The Su-35 also has a numerical advantage, with Russia operating over 100 of these jets, significantly outnumbering Ukraine's limited fleet of F-16s. Maintenance and logistics also favour Russia, which has an established domestic supply chain, whereas Ukraine remains reliant on foreign support, which can be slow to materialise.

As of 11 March 2025, Ignat's remarks remain a stark reminder of Ukraine's uphill battle. While the F-16s have strengthened its defences, the goal of achieving air parity with Russia remains elusive.

With further deliveries expected from Denmark and the Netherlands in the coming months, and training programmes expanding, the question remains whether these efforts will close the gap-or if NATO allies will step up and supply more advanced models. The answer will shape the air war over Ukraine in the months ahead.