Ukraine’s F-16 Fighter Jets Struggle Against Russia’s Su-35

As Ukraine integrates its long-awaited F-16 Fighting Falcon jets into its air force, concerns are mounting over their effectiveness against Russia’s superior Sukhoi Su-35 fighters. Former Ukrainian Air Force Command spokesperson Yuriy Ignat has cast doubt on the newly acquired F-16 fighter jets, stating they are not modern enough to compete with Russia’s advanced aircraft in direct aerial combat.

Speaking to Ukrainian media, Ignat stressed that while these Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets are a welcome addition, they lack the cutting-edge capabilities needed to go head-to-head with the Russian Su-35. His statement has fueled widespread discussions about the limitations of Ukraine’s new jets and their role in the ongoing war.

Aging F-16 vs Su-35: A Tough Battlefield Reality

Ukraine has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of F-16 Fighting Falcons, believing they could help counter Russia’s air dominance. However, the jets delivered to Ukraine so far are older models, retired from NATO service, and refurbished for combat use.

Many are F-16A/B or early F-16C/D variants dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. While some have received minor upgrades, they lack the state-of-the-art avionics, radar, and weaponry seen in modern NATO-operated F-16 fighter jets.

In contrast, the Sukhoi Su-35, a fourth-generation-plus fighter, outperforms these older F-16 fighter jets in multiple areas. Equipped with advanced radar systems, superior long-range missiles, and highly maneuverable thrust-vectoring engines, the Russian Su-35 gives Moscow a significant aerial advantage.

Russia’s Su-35 carries the powerful Irbis-E radar, allowing it to detect and engage targets at greater distances. It also boasts a top speed of approximately 1,500 mph (2,400 km/h) and a combat range exceeding 900 miles. In comparison, the F-16 Fighting Falcon maxes out at around 1,300 mph (2,100 km/h) with a shorter operational range.

Additionally, the Sukhoi Su-35 is armed with the R-77 air-to-air missile, which has a striking range of over 60 miles (100 km). Meanwhile, Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets are mostly equipped with older AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which offer only half that range. This means Su-35 pilots can fire on Ukrainian F-16s long before the F-16s are in striking distance, putting Ukrainian pilots at a severe disadvantage.

Ukraine’s Cautious Use of F-16s

With the odds stacked against them in direct air-to-air combat, Ukraine has taken a cautious approach to deploying its F-16 fighter jets. Instead of engaging in dogfights with Russian fighters, the jets are primarily being used for defensive operations, such as intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles.

In January 2025, an F-16 fighter jet successfully shot down six Russian cruise missiles in a single mission, highlighting its effectiveness in air defense. However, these successes do not change the fundamental challenge Ukraine faces: it cannot afford to risk losing its limited number of F-16s in confrontations with the Sukhoi Su-35.

Ukraine’s strategy reflects the reality that its F-16 Fighting Falcons are scarce, outdated, and unable to match Russian Su-35s in a conventional air battle. Military analysts believe Kyiv is prioritizing the preservation of its fleet, using the jets where it can make the biggest impact without unnecessary risks.

Read: Russian Air Defenses Down Ukrainian F-16

Limited Numbers and Outdated Technology

So far, Ukraine has received around 20 F-16 fighter jets from Western allies, including the Netherlands and Denmark. The Netherlands pledged 24 jets, while Denmark committed to 19, with more expected to arrive later in 2025.

However, even with these reinforcements, Ukraine’s F-16 fleet remains small compared to Russia’s air force, which operates more than 100 Su-35 fighters. Kyiv has stated that it needs at least 128 F-16 Fighting Falcons to modernize its air force and challenge Russian air superiority effectively.

The condition of these jets also raises concerns. Many of the delivered F-16s are over 30 years old, featuring outdated radars, limited electronic warfare capabilities, and older missiles that are outmatched by Russian weaponry. Unlike modern F-16V Block 70/72 models, which have advanced AESA radar and enhanced avionics, Ukraine’s jets lack the upgrades needed to counter the Sukhoi Su-35 effectively.

Additionally, while Ukrainian pilots have undergone intensive training in the U.S. and Europe, transitioning from Soviet-era MiGs and Sukhois to F-16 fighter jets is a complex process. It takes years to fully master a new aircraft’s systems and tactics, further limiting Ukraine’s ability to leverage the full potential of these jets.

The Future of Ukraine’s Air Force

Despite the challenges, Ukraine remains hopeful that continued deliveries of F-16 Fighting Falcons will gradually strengthen its air force. Denmark and the Netherlands have promised additional jets, and training programs for Ukrainian pilots are expanding.

However, without newer F-16 variants or long-range weaponry, Ukraine will continue to face significant hurdles in countering Russia’s air dominance. Many analysts believe the only way to shift the balance is for NATO allies to provide Ukraine with more advanced F-16 fighter jets, such as the F-16V, which features superior radar, electronic warfare systems, and extended missile range.

For now, the war in the skies remains lopsided. The Sukhoi Su-35 continues to give Russia an upper hand, while Ukraine’s F-16s—though valuable—are limited in their ability to challenge Russian air superiority. As the conflict progresses, the effectiveness of these F-16 Fighting Falcons will depend on the weapons they receive, the tactics they employ, and the support they get from Western allies.