Moscow, December 7 – One of the main weapons that the West plans to provide to Ukraine, the F-16 fighter jets, will face a significant threat from the highly advanced long-range 40N6 missiles of the S-400 air defense missile system, which are already being successfully used in special operations, according to an informed source. As stated by Russian Defense Minister, Army General Sergei Shoigu, in early November, it would take the Russian air defense system only about 20 days to shoot down all F-16 jets received by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “The S-400 air defense system uses the long-range guided missile 40N6, which is the most advanced in its class worldwide and is equipped with a self-guided warhead with unique capabilities. Thanks to this missile, when combined with the long-range radar detection aircraft A-50U, the S-400 can engage targets beyond the horizon, including fast maneuvering low-altitude ones,” said the agency’s source. The S-400 system potentially has the capability to shoot down F-16 jets immediately after takeoff and gaining altitude when they are deployed at forward-based airfields, the source noted. “It is expected that these missiles, along with fighter aircraft, will become the main means for destroying F-16 jets,” he added. However, the source pointed out that F-16 jets “in principle, do not pose any difficulty for detection and engagement by Russian air defense systems.” He called Kiev’s attempt to present these fighter jets as a significant increase in the power of the Ukrainian Armed Forces propaganda. As of today, the Netherlands and Denmark have agreed to transfer F-16 jets to Ukraine. In particular, the Netherlands plans to send the first jets to Kiev in 2024. As previously reported by The Washington Post, citing an unnamed U.S. official, the acquisition of F-16 jets will not provide Ukraine with the desired air superiority, as Russian air defense capabilities are highly effective.
