Ukraine's First F-16s Deployed: Evaluating Their Impact

The arrival of American-made F-16 fighter jets marks a significant upgrade for Ukraine's air force, but challenges remain.

Ukraine has received its first batch of F-16 fighter jets, with plans to expand the fleet to up to 130 aircraft.
Initial missions for the F-16s will likely focus on air defense, targeting Russian drones and cruise missiles.
The F-16s are equipped with advanced missiles such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder.
Training and integration challenges persist, with a limited number of qualified Ukrainian pilots.
The F-16s offer improved capabilities over Soviet-era jets, but face formidable Russian air defenses.