In a significant development for the Ukrainian air force, surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets have finally entered frontline service, a year after Denmark and The Netherlands, later joined by Norway and Belgium, pledged their support. These ex-Danish F-16AM/BM models, equipped with modern enhancements and additional equipment, offer a glimmer of hope to Ukraine's battered air force as it continues to face Russia's ongoing aggression.

Released by the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, the first official photos and videos showcase the F-16s in Ukrainian livery, armed with AIM-9 infrared-guided dogfighting missiles and radar-guided AIM-120s. This signifies the F-16's potential role in providing air defense capabilities for Ukraine. A closer look at the images reveals the missiles' pylons, which house built-in self-defense mechanisms—a critical addition for fighters operating in the exceedingly dangerous airspace over Ukraine.

The Pylon Integrated Dispensing System (PIDS) and Electronic Combat Integrated Pylon System (ECIPS), both co-produced by Israeli firm Elbit and Danish partner Terma, offer comprehensive protection for the F-16 against a wide range of enemy missiles. PIDS ejects metal chaff and flares to confuse incoming radar- and infrared-guided anti-aircraft missiles. In combination with PIDS, ECIPS provides passive defenses such as the AN/ALQ-162 jammer, capable of defeating ground radars, and the AN/AAR-60 missile warning system to trigger the passive defenses.

For the Ukrainian air force, which has already suffered immense losses with over 90 of its roughly 125 pre-war warplanes destroyed, these enhanced self-defense systems address an urgent need. While Ukraine has been able to restore older jets from long-term storage and acquire additional aircraft from allies, safeguarding the 85 surplus F-16s received from European allies is now a top priority. With limited surplus F-16s available, preserving and protecting these assets is crucial for Ukraine.

The introduction of PIDS and ECIPS on the F-16s can potentially delay losses and save pilot lives. However, their effectiveness will largely depend on how Ukraine deploys these advanced fighters. If used primarily for air defense missions deep within Ukrainian territory, the F-16s may face only the longest-range Russian missiles. Nevertheless, if these aircraft are employed extensively for ground-attack missions in frontline areas, they will undoubtedly encounter heavier enemy fire.

Despite potential vulnerabilities, the F-16s, equipped with PIDS and ECIPS, provide significantly superior protection compared to Ukraine's aging ex-Soviet jets, most of which lack adequate jammers. With the ongoing conflict, Ukraine aims to better protect the F-16s it possesses rather than seeking replacements for potential losses.

As Ukraine's air force strengthens its capabilities with these surplus F-16 fighters and their advanced self-defense systems, it stands ready to defend its airspace against the increasingly challenging threat posed by Russia's aggression.