From the beginnings of the Russian invasion in Ukraine to today, Volodymyr Zelensky has never stopped asking for material reinforcements from his Western allies. After having already obtained a green light concerning the delivery of Western tanks, the Ukrainian president now welcomes the “historic” decision of the United States to authorize the delivery of the F16, the best-selling American aircraft, used by 25 countries in the world.
Yet another “turning point” in the war in Ukraine? The experts met during our video decryption give another story. “These planes will have no influence on this war”, affirms for example John Venable, veteran of the US Air Force, 330 hours of F-16 piloting on the clock. Especially since all these planes, although labeled F-16, are not identical, recalls Kelly Grieco, researcher at the Stimson Center: “You have to succeed in finding some that have the same software, the same radars…”. So many logistical challenges for the Ukrainian army, as it embarks on its famous counter-offensive. Discover our long video format, to be found here as well as on the L’Express YouTube page.