First-Ever Photo of Ukraine’s F-16 Fighter Jet in Action

A new photograph of an F-16 fighter jet operated by the Ukrainian Air Force has emerged, providing insight into its combat role and equipment. The image, published by the Ukrainian Air Force personnel group “Sonyashnyk,” captures the aircraft in flight during approach for landing.

According to a Defense Express report, the photograph reveals key details about the aircraft’s configuration. The F-16 is carrying three external fuel tanks, which can hold a total of 1,040 gallons (3,940 liters) of aviation fuel.

This setup extends the aircraft’s operational range to approximately 1,700 kilometers, indicating a long-duration mission, likely conducted over a significant distance.

The presence of this specific loadout suggests that the aircraft may have been conducting an air defense role, covering strike aircraft tasked with engaging ground targets. Previously, this responsibility was typically assigned to older MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters.

The introduction of the F-16, with its advanced capabilities, allows these legacy platforms to be reassigned to other roles, such as deploying the French-made AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs. Footage of Ukrainian MiG-29 jets using these weapons began circulating in 2024, months before the first F-16s arrived in Ukraine.

The image also provides a detailed view of the aircraft’s armament. Under its wings, the F-16 is equipped with AIM-9X infrared-guided short-range air-to-air missiles. This marks a notable upgrade, as earlier photographs of Ukrainian F-16s showed older AIM-9L or AIM-9M variants.

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War in Ukraine

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Additionally, mounted on the wingtip is an AIM-120C AMRAAM missile, distinguishable from earlier versions by its trapezoidal fins. The absence of a second AIM-120C suggests that one may have already been expended during the mission.

Another notable feature in the image is the ECIPS/CJS electronic warfare pod, produced by Denmark’s Terma and Italy’s Leonardo. This system integrates an advanced digital electronic countermeasure suite capable of jamming radar signals from enemy aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems. It also includes a missile approach warning system, designed to detect and track incoming threats.

Earlier, reports suggested that a Ukrainian F-16 may have shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter jet, potentially marking the first confirmed instance of Ukraine using a Western-supplied aircraft to down a Russian piloted jet.