[News in War History] Zelensky's Earnest Wish for the F-16... The Story Behind the Bestselling Fighter Jet

Ukrainian Fighter Jet Persistently Requesting Support
All-Purpose Aircraft Developed with Cost-Effectiveness Focus Amid Oil Shock
Over 4,500 Units Sold...Global Mainstay Aircraft

Editor's Note[News in War History] is a content series created to provide multifaceted perspectives on the constantly evolving global war and conflict news. Through 'News,' we first examine the current situation; through 'History,' we analyze the hidden meanings behind the news; and through 'Implication,' we offer insights into the near future. We visit you every Sunday and plan to publish the series as a book after 40 episodes.

Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, attracting international attention. The event gained even more spotlight when U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed his visit and announced support for F-16 fighter pilot training for Ukraine.

The F-16 fighter jet is a type that Ukraine has repeatedly requested support for, but the U.S. had been reluctant to provide it due to concerns about escalation. However, with President Biden now offering pilot training support, there is growing speculation that fighter jet support from the U.S. and Western countries may soon become a reality. Still, some factions within the U.S. and Western nations remain cautious and oppose such support.

This caution is largely due to concerns that, considering the F-16's air combat capabilities, Ukraine could launch large-scale airstrikes beyond the eastern front into the Russian mainland. The F-16 could potentially be a decisive factor in the future direction of the Ukraine war, but it is actually an aging model developed in the early 1970s. So, what makes this old fighter jet so significant that it could change the course of the war? In this edition, we explore the story behind the F-16, known as a bestseller in the fighter jet field.

◆News: Biden "Support for F-16 Pilot Training for Ukraine"

Takeoff scene of an F-16 fighter jet. [Image source=U.S. Air Force website]

Let's start with the news. On the last day of the G7 summit on the 21st, President Zelensky attended the meeting and received a warm welcome from the G7 leaders, securing promises for additional military support. President Biden announced an additional military aid package worth $375 million (approximately 498 billion KRW) and pledged support for F-16 fighter pilot training.

At a press conference after the meeting, President Biden said, "I received assurances from President Zelensky that the fighter jets will not be used to advance into Russian territory," adding, "However, they may be used against Russian forces within Ukrainian territory." Although limited to defense within Ukraine, this statement was interpreted as hinting at the possibility of direct F-16 fighter jet support in the future.

Not only the U.S., but Western countries are also reportedly planning to actively support F-16 provision. Earlier on the 23rd (local time), Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), attending a defense meeting of the European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Belgium, expressed willingness to support F-16 pilot training for Ukraine. He stated, "Ukraine has the right to defend itself. We will help Ukraine uphold that right," while clarifying, "That does not mean NATO and its allies are becoming parties to the conflict."

On the 21st, U.S. President Joe Biden (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left), who met at the Group of Seven (G7) summit held in Hiroshima, Japan, are shaking hands. Hiroshima=EPA·Yonhap News

Regarding combat pilot training, he emphasized, "At some point, this is an important step toward enabling the provision of actual fighter jets," adding, "We will remain engaged in the long term, sending a very clear signal to Russia that they cannot expect us to withdraw from the Ukraine war."

Kaja Olongren, the Dutch Minister of Defense, who also attended the meeting, said at a press conference that "a concrete schedule is being prepared to start the training," and that "Belgium, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are likely to participate in the pilot training."

However, concerns about escalation due to NATO's fighter jet support have led some countries, including Germany, to adopt a cautious stance. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said they are exploring ways to support fighter pilot training but noted, "Since we do not possess F-16 fighter jets ourselves, we may not be able to provide much assistance with pilot training."

◆History 1: The Best Cost-Performance Fighter Jet Born Amid the First Oil Shock

Manufacturing process of the F-16 fighter jet. [Image source= Lockheed Martin official website]

The F-16 fighter jet, which has emerged as a new topic in the Ukraine war, sounds like a state-of-the-art fighter but is actually an aging model that has been in operation for over 40 years. Developed by Lockheed Martin starting in the early 1970s, it was introduced in 1978. It is famous for being the most widely sold fighter jet currently in service worldwide, with over 4,600 units sold.

This fighter jet was originally developed in the aftermath of the 1973 first oil shock, when there was a need to reduce fighter jet maintenance costs. At that time, the U.S. Air Force's main fighter was the F-15, which had excellent performance but was too expensive to maintain widely. Therefore, there was a demand for a mass-producible, cost-effective fighter jet that could deliver a certain level of performance, and the F-16 was born to meet this demand.

Subsequently, the U.S. military adopted a strategy of developing and deploying both advanced main fighters and cost-effective fighters, known as the "high-low mix" strategy. This approach recognized that developing and deploying only high-performance fighters was less cost-effective given the demand for both types.

In fact, the annual maintenance cost of the F-16 is considered relatively low compared to other main fighters. Its annual maintenance cost is about 1 billion KRW, roughly one-third that of the F-15, and less than one-tenth of the U.S.'s latest stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor.

◆History 2: Dogfighting Between Turkish and Greek F-16 Squadrons

A photo released showing a Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet aiming at a Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jet in August 2020. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The F-16, with its low maintenance cost, is also regarded as having decent performance. According to its developer Lockheed Martin, the F-16's top speed reaches Mach 2.02, its combat radius is 550 km, and its range extends to 4,220 km. Its speed, operational radius, and flight distance are all excellent for a 4th generation fighter. Its versatility in air combat, ground bombing, and anti-ship bombing is a major advantage.

As a result, after its first introduction in the U.S. in 1978, it was sold rapidly worldwide. As of 2018, the U.S. military alone possessed over 2,500 units, and more than 2,100 units were sold globally. Except for China, Russia, and some former Soviet states, most countries with air forces have deployed F-16s.

Because of its widespread deployment, there have been some amusing incidents where F-16s from the same nationality collided. In August 2020, over the island of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish F-16 squadrons confronted each other, accusing the other of violating their national airspace, and engaged in a so-called "dogfighting," where they targeted the rear of each other's fighter jets. Both sides came close to missile launches, but fortunately, no actual bombing occurred.

Due to its widespread deployment and aging status, replacement has become difficult, leading the U.S. to release an upgraded version equipped with electronic warfare systems. In other words, it was remodeled.

In 2012, Lockheed Martin announced the F-16V, an upgraded version equipped with electronic warfare equipment, which has been selling rapidly worldwide. With this upgrade, the F-16 is expected to remain in active service until at least the 2070s. Despite being a fighter jet, it is anticipated to be operated for nearly 100 years. Its excellent cost-performance and adaptability to various operations highlight its advantages, and it is expected to maintain its position as a bestseller in the fighter jet industry for decades to come.

◆Implication: F-16 Support Could Be a Turning Point Between Ceasefire and Escalation

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

If the highly cost-effective F-16 is provided to Ukraine, it is expected to significantly strengthen the Ukrainian military, which is currently struggling with insufficient air power. Since the F-16 has excellent specifications both as a fighter and a bomber, the Ukrainian forces are likely to utilize it in various ways, whether for defense or offense.

The issue arises after the F-16 support. No matter how much President Zelensky promises President Biden, it is impossible to completely prevent the F-16 fighter jets from striking Russian mainland targets depending on combat situations. Especially in the northern Donbas region, which is very close to Russian territory, there is a high probability that missiles from F-16s could fall on Russian soil.

This raises concerns that Russia might use this as a pretext for escalation. Although Russia has so far limited the Ukraine war to a "special military operation" within its borders and has not invaded other neighboring countries, a full-scale war with NATO could become even more dangerous. Particularly, Moldova, a neighboring country of Ukraine with very weak military and economic power, is feared to collapse easily.

There are also counterarguments that operations using F-16s may not significantly aid in reclaiming Russian-occupied territories. According to the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have installed S-300 missile defense systems in key occupied areas including Donbas, and these defense systems are known to be very difficult to bomb even with F-16 fighter jets. In fact, the likelihood of F-16s being shot down is high. After fighter jet support, there are also concerns about the enormous burden on Ukraine for aviation fuel, maintenance parts, and mounted missiles and shells.