On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Povitriani Syly Zbroinykh Syl Ukrayiny, AFU) provided a summary of its use to date of the second-hand Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM multirole aircraft donated by European partners, which entered service in August 2024.
Photo: Povitriani Syly Zbroinykh Syl Ukrayiny
“F-16 appeared in the Ukrainian sky in August 2024 And this is a historic moment for our country – a serious breakthrough in the expansion of the capabilities of the aviation component of the Air Force. Quickly mastering the new technique, Ukrainian pilots made it an effective tool in confronting the aggressor.
Implementing their own innovative approaches to air and anti-air combat, Ukrainian crews demonstrate consistently high performance in repelling enemy attacks. At the account of exactly the F-16 over 1300 intercepted air targets! Specifically, during today’s repeal by pilots F-16 and Mirage-2000 intercepted and shot down at least 10 enemy winged missiles.
In addition to air defense missions, these aircraft are actively used for air support of the troops. F-16 pilots hit more than 300 ground targets, destroying hundreds of enemy equipment units, command points, APLA control points, ammunition warehouses and enemy logistics.
F-16 pilots and ground aviation personnel will work in extremely difficult extreme conditions. And the only thing on everyone’s mind now is the continuous and timely supply of aviation means of impressions from Western partners. Because without enough bombs and missiles F-16 will not help defeat the enemy!” reads the social media post.
Ukraine currently operates several dozen F-16AM/BM fighters – according to information from June, 50 of the 95 promised aircraft have been delivered, originating from donations by Denmark (12 of 19), the Netherlands (24 of 24) and Norway (14 of 30). The remaining 30 aircraft pledged by Belgium are delayed. However, four F-16s have been lost so far. In addition, the United States provided at least three non-airworthy F-16ADF airframes for spare parts. Ukrainian specialists have also developed a mobile aircraft maintenance complex known as Project 61.
Ukraine’s F-16s are armed with AIM-9L/M Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles and AIM-120B AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) medium-range missiles, used to shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles (and even a Su-35S). They also employ GBU-39/B SDB I (Small Diameter Bomb) satellite-guided glide bombs. Ukraine possesses newer AIM-120C and AIM-9X missiles, although the latter are used with NASAMS air-defense batteries. The aircraft are additionally equipped with AN/ALQ-131(V) ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) pods.
Support for Ukraine’s F-16 Fleet
On 22 September, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a 25,998,051 USD contract with Lockheed Martin Systems (a division of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Corp.) to provide operational support services for Ukraine’s fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft.
Earlier, on 2 May, the U.S. Department of State approved a potential sale to Ukraine of an F-16 sustainment support package worth up to 310.5 million USD. At that time, the Ukrainian government requested training services and operational support for the F-16s, along with associated equipment.
The previous F-16 support package was approved by the administration of then-President Joe Biden on 10 December 2024 and had a maximum value of 266.4 million USD.
Earlier information regarding support for Ukraine’s F-16s included a 20 September 2024 contract for the delivery of two landing aid system sets from Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corp., as well as efforts to enhance the combat capability and survivability of the aircraft through the development, testing, and delivery of a full spectrum of electronic warfare software support, as reported on 26 August 2024.
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