Lockheed F-16AM Fighting Falcon  
Ukraine Air Force, UA24-3596, Ukraine August 2024

On August 24, 2023, Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country would soon receive F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway were key nations pledging the jets, with training for Ukrainian pilots already underway. The introduction of the F-16s is expected to enhance Ukraine's ability to counter Russian air superiority and bolster its defense strategies.

These F-16s will be fitted with an advanced coutermeasures system called PIDS+ (Pylon Integrated Dispenser System Plus). The system is integrated into the jet's pylons, allowing it to carry and depl oy electronic countermeasures, such as flares and chaff, which help confuse or mislead enemy tracking systems. For Ukraine, the incorporation of PIDS+ with the F-16s could significantly enhance the survivability of its aircraft, increasing their effectiveness against Russian air defense systems while conducting operations in contested airspace.