Summary
Ukraine’s newly acquired F-16s, equipped with advanced missiles, glide bombs, and electronic warfare systems, are now actively engaging Russian forces along the front lines.
The jets, donated by European allies, surpass Ukraine’s older Soviet-era aircraft in capability, which offers improved air defense and offensive power.
A key addition is the AN/ALQ-131 jamming pod, which enhances survivability against Russian missile threats.
However, concerns remain about Ukraine’s reliance on U.S. support to maintain these systems, especially amid shifting U.S. foreign policy under Trump.
Honestly, this just showcases that other nations NEED to have some form of military self reliance. The US cannot be trusted to remain hard allies with wavering political stances and arguable Russia ties. As much as I hate larger military industrial complexes, other nations reliance on the US has aided in these companies growing ever larger and causing the current strain where countries are scrambling to establish their own products and supplies.