How F-16s Are Turning the Tide in Ukraine’s Skies

Russia recently launched its largest-ever combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine, unleashing 355 Shahed drones and nine cruise missiles in a single night to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. This massive assault marks a shift from probing attacks to a full-scale attrition strategy designed to exhaust Ukraine’s expensive missile interceptors. In response, Ukraine has incorporated F-16 fighter jets into regular drone patrols. Leveraging their versatility and cost-efficiency, these jets intercept drones using cannon fire and cheaper missiles, covering large areas while preserving costly ground-based air defense systems. This tactic forces Russia to bear greater costs with each attack, shifting the air defense battle from a costly arms race to a sustainable war of attrition. The integration of F-16s has thus transformed Ukraine’s air defense into a more resilient and enduring force.