F-16 (top) and Su-35 Fighters
Operations by Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35 air superiority fighters have forced the Ukrainian Air Force’s newly delivered F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters to operate exclusively at low altitudes in airspace far behind the frontlines, according to recent reports. Flying low and far from Russian forces minimises the possibility of targeting, but limits the kinds of support Ukrainian aircraft can provide for their forces. Commenting on how the Su-35’s presence in the theatre has allegedly shaped Ukrainian fighter operations, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov reported: “The Su-35S has driven enemy aircraft low, forcing them to fly at minimal altitudes and in rear areas. Meanwhile, the Su-35S engages targets at distances of hundreds of kilometres. That is why enemy aircraft cannot approach the frontlines to launch air-to-air missiles. This includes American F-16s and French-made Mirages.”
Russian Aerospace Forces Su-35 Fighters
Ukrainian sources have consistently warned that new Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighters are wholly incapable of matching the capabilities of advanced Russian fighters such as the Su-35. Highlighting the much more powerful sensor suites carried by Russian combat jets, and their much longer air-to-air engagement ranges, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat observed on June 3: "Unfortunately, today Russia has jets that see farther and missiles that fly farther. That’s even when compared to F-16s. They also have powerful air defences, which work in tandem with aviation.” Ignat in March compared the F-16 to the Su-35 specifically stating: “The modifications that Ukraine has cannot compete one-on-one in an air battle. We need a comprehensive approach as the [Russian] Su-35 is a relatively new jet… This includes ground-based air defence, electronic warfare systems, and ideally, an airborne radar. Also crucial are onboard radars for our aircraft and air-to-air missiles.”
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