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Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Train Low-Level Flying Without GPS Against Russian Electronic Warfare
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Ukrainian military pilots are increasingly training to operate without reliable GPS navigation as Russian electronic warfare systems continue disrupting signals across the battlefield, according to a report published by Business Insider on May 6.
The shift reflects a growing reality of modern warfare in Ukraine, where GPS jamming has become so widespread that flying without stable satellite navigation is no longer treated as an emergency scenario, but as a standard combat condition.
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According to Business Insider, Ukrainian pilots begin adapting to GPS-denied environments from the earliest stages of their training.
Even during language courses and initial flight instruction in the United Kingdom, cadets are taught how to continue missions after losing navigational signals.
One pilot told Business Insider that the ability to fly at low altitude without GPS support has become a critical survival skill.
⚡️🇺🇦 F-16 Maneuver
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A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 breaks away from its wingman during a combat sortie over Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/rYf8uczwji
For many Western air forces, GPS loss is typically viewed as a backup or contingency scenario. For Ukrainian aviators, however, it has become a daily operational reality.
During training programs organized with support from the Royal Air Force, pilots learn to navigate using terrain features such as rivers, roads, and landscape contours instead of relying entirely on digital systems.
The heavy use of electronic warfare by Russian forces has affected not only navigation but also communications and weapon guidance systems across the front line.
The constant struggle in the electromagnetic spectrum is also driving broader battlefield adaptation, including the development of more jam-resistant drones and changes in tactics used by both aviation and ground units.
More than 50 Ukrainian trainees have already completed basic flight training in the United Kingdom and are expected to continue advanced jet training in partner countries before transitioning to F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.
Ukraine began receiving F-16 aircraft in 2024 as part of Western military assistance programs aimed at modernizing the country’s air force.
According to instructors cited by Business Insider, Ukrainian cadets have shown rapid progress, advancing from initial training flights to complex low-altitude maneuvers and simulated combat missions.
Another pilot said the experience gained during training significantly improves confidence ahead of real combat deployments.
Earlier, Ukraine received advanced mobile F-16 simulators from international partners, expanding its pilot training capabilities and accelerating the transition to NATO standards.
Only a limited number of such systems exist worldwide due to their high cost, with several now delivered to Ukraine alongside existing stationary simulators.
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