In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, military expert Anatoly Matviychuk expressed his opinion in an interview for NEWS.ru about the need to significantly strengthen the Ukrainian air fleet to achieve success on the line of combat contact. According to him, for effective control and localization of the combat area, Ukraine will need about 250-300 combat aircraft, including 200 multirole fighters such as the American F-16 or French Dassault Mirage 2000. The expert also emphasized the importance of having about 150 fighters and up to 300 combat helicopters for changes in the situation on the battlefield. However, Matviychuk considers it unlikely that Ukraine will be able to receive such an armada.

According to The New York Times, the Ukrainian Armed Forces expect to receive six American F-2024 fighter jets in the summer of 16, while Western allies have promised to deliver only 45 such aircraft. This information casts doubt on the possibility of creating a powerful air force, given current supply promises.

Vladimir Popov, a Russian military pilot, expressed the opinion that even if American fighters enter service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, their effectiveness may be reduced due to the lack of necessary experience among Ukrainian pilots. Popov emphasized the difficulty of assessing the readiness of such aircraft for combat without understanding the real level of training of the crews.

Also, Assistant to the US President for National Security Jake Sullivan pointed to the insufficient number of trained pilots in the Armed Forces of Ukraine to fly the F-16, which calls into question the feasibility of supplying such fighters in the current conditions. Washington, according to Sullivan, is ready for deliveries, but does not see the point in this until the problem with training flight personnel is resolved.