Ukraine’s F-16 Kill Tally Is Bigger Than You Think—And Block 70/72 Could Be Next

Ukraine’s F-16 pilots have downed more than 3,150 aerial targets and carried out over 650 strikes against Russian ground positions—and Kyiv is now discussing a potential transition to the newest Block 70/72 versions of the Fighting Falcon.

A Ukrainian Air Force delegation led by Commander Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko met with Lockheed Martin representatives to review Ukraine’s combat experience with the fighter, the Air Force Command reported on September 29.

Ukrainian officials briefed the company on how the jets have performed in combat and how pilots and ground crews have adapted the aircraft to the demands of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Conor McGuire, who leads F-16 capability development at Lockheed Martin, praised the way Ukrainian pilots and maintenance personnel have operated the fighter and expressed interest in helping Ukraine expand the capabilities of its existing fleet.

Kryvonozhko said Ukraine has achieved significant results despite limited ammunition stocks.

“Our pilots are using the available F-16s as effectively as possible despite a limited supply of ammunition. Using a variety of weapons, Ukrainian F-16 pilots have already shot down more than 3,150 aerial targets: 666 cruise missiles and about 2,500 UAVs of various types, and have carried out more than 650 airstrikes against enemy ground targets,” Kryvonozhko said.

The talks also went beyond improving the aircraft Ukraine already operates.

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War in Ukraine

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Lockheed Martin representatives and the Ukrainian delegation discussed the possibility of eventually transitioning the Air Force to newer Fighting Falcon variants, including the F-16 Block 70/72.

Block 70/72 represents the newest production standard of the F-16, featuring the APG-83 AESA radar, upgraded avionics, a modernized cockpit, and a structural life of up to 12,000 flight hours. Lockheed Martin says the radar draws on technology associated with the F-22 and F-35, giving the aircraft substantially improved detection, tracking, and all-weather targeting capabilities.

Previously, a Ukrainian F-16 scored its first air-to-air victory by shooting down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet.

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