The challenge may make it difficult for the F-16 to change the game in Ukraine

(Dan Tri) – Experts warn about the challenges that Ukraine may face when operating F-16 fighters that Western aid provides.

F-16 fighter jet (Photo: Getty).

As Ukraine awaits the delivery of F-16s from Western allies, experts warn that the country may face challenges operating the aircraft that require extensive maintenance.

Tom Richter, a former US Marine Corps pilot, told Politico that the F-16 is `a sensitive beast` compared to the Soviet-era aircraft Ukraine is used to using.

`If you ever walk up and put your hands on a MiG-29 at an air show and then walk right up and put your hands on an F-16, you can feel from the outside that the F-16

According to him, the F-16 is a very sensitive fighter that needs careful maintenance, much better than MiG fighters from the Soviet era.

Previously, the Ukrainian Air Force told Politico that Kiev would need some changes to operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

According to The Times, in addition to pilots, Ukraine also has about 50 technicians being trained to support and repair fighters.

In February, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said there are still many issues that need to be resolved related to the maintenance process, operating personnel and support systems that must be ready before the F-16 is delivered.

Last year, Viktor Bondarev, Chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Russian Federation Council, said that Ukraine’s infrastructure was `not completely suitable` for operating the F-16, because of a large number of

According to Russian military expert Viktor Litovkin, one problem with the F-16 that Ukraine is facing is that Kiev lacks the appropriate infrastructure to operate these fighters in combat operations.

Mr. Litovkin said that to use American-made aircraft, Kiev will need complex infrastructure, including properly equipped airports, radar stations, and special equipment for pre- and post-preparation.

`Ukraine does not have any such infrastructure. If they start building it all, Russia will not turn a blind eye. The Russian Armed Forces will wait until construction work reaches a certain level.`

The F-16 is a multi-role jet fighter that has participated in dozens of wars and is used by more than 20 countries.

Since last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that sending F-16s to Ukraine would be `an unacceptable escalation` and warned the West not to `play with fire`.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that F-16 aircraft would be shot down like Western tanks supplied to Kiev, and also stated that Russia would find every way to attack locations outside Ukraine if these aircraft were stationed.

The fighter jet needs to take off from an airstrip that Ukraine does not currently possess, leading to speculation that they could fly from neighboring NATO countries into Ukraine.