US transferred F-16s for specific purposes in Ukraine: Defense Express revealed details

The main donors of F-16 fighters for Ukraine are the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium. Although the US distanced itself from the transfer of aircraft, it still took part in it.

As Defense Express writes, experts noticed an interesting detail in the published video of the planes that were parked behind President Volodymyr Zelensky. They were different from the two that were armed and flying.

"In particular, the attention of Western experts was drawn to the antennas of the friend-or-foe system, which are located in front of the pilot's cabin. Such a sharp shape of the antennas was used in the first F-16A, and the presence of a searchlight on the right side allows us to identify this aircraft as an F-16A ADF. This is a special modification of the fighter for air defense, which was transferred to the American National Guard. The second aircraft on "static display" also has a similar shape of antennas, but there is no searchlight," analysts note.

In addition, the fighters did not have automatic 20-mm cannons, technical inscriptions, etc. In this regard, it was assumed that at least these two F-16s were handed over by the Americans as decoys.

"At the same time, it is the American side that remains the only candidate for the role of donor, because the aircraft in this version were exported used to Jordan and Thailand, and were also leased to Italy," the experts added.

That is why their demonstration did not pose any risks to the aircraft that are going on combat duty. According to Defense Express, using F-16 fuselages as decoys is the most effective solution, since the difference from the real ones is so insignificant that it is difficult to notice. A satellite, a drone or even an observer with binoculars cannot distinguish them from the real ones. Probably, modern inflatable models of these aircraft will be added to them.

"It is worth understanding that for the enemy, the destruction of Ukrainian F-16s will be task No. 1, therefore any methods and tricks for disguising fighters, their bases and maintaining information silence are the key to their effective use," the analysts concluded. #news #warinukraine #rumblenewvideos