A Russian company has put out a hefty bounty for downing any of Ukraine’s anticipated F-16 jets. Sergey Shmotyev, the director of the Ural company Fores, announced a reward of 15 million rubles [$167,7K] for the first F-16 fighter jet taken down and 500,000 rubles [$5,591] for each subsequent jet.
Shmotyev also highlighted that they previously offered rewards for tank destructions—5 million rubles [$55,910] for the first tank and 500,000 rubles [$5,591] for each one after that. He mentioned that over 20 tanks are currently awaiting their reward for being destroyed.
It’s worth noting that the planned delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is not expected to significantly alter the conflict’s dynamics, according to numerous military analysts and active-duty Western military officials. In an earlier statement, Estonian Defense Chief Hanno Pevkur mentioned that there is currently no consensus within the European Union to send military personnel to Ukraine, primarily due to opposition from multiple countries.
The arrival of the F-16
The highly anticipated American-made F-16s, set to be donated by countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands, are expected to arrive in the middle of the year or perhaps later. Many Western experts and military officials believe that their arrival in Ukraine hinges largely on the preparedness and training of Ukrainian pilots.
According to the Greek resource, Defence-Point, a Greek officer from the Hellenic Air Force [HAF] has already made his way to Kyiv. This Greek officer, reportedly an instructor pilot with expertise in the operational use of the F-16 fighter jet, underscores the readiness to bolster Ukrainian capabilities. The publication, however, kept the officer’s identity under wraps.
The Greek Air Force has amassed significant experience with Western combat aircraft, particularly through tensions and conflicts with Turkey. This includes intimate knowledge of close air combat and the effective use of fighter jets in air-to-air missions, as highlighted by Defence-Point.
First trained pilots
Several international reports, including from Ukraine and China, confirm that the first group of Ukrainian F-16 pilots has wrapped up their training in the USA. The precise number of trained pilots remains undisclosed, but this achievement stands as a notable advancement. Details on parallel training initiatives in Europe remain unclear.
Earlier this year, a U.S. defense official told Air & Space Forces Magazine that four Ukrainian pilots were training with the 162nd Wing at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona. Additionally, 20 support personnel were undergoing training at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.
Ukraine is poised to receive several fourth-generation fighter jets from nations like the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway. These donations are part of a coalition fighter framework, which also includes commitments from the U.S. to train Ukrainian airmen.
Bonuses
In 2023, BulgarianMilitary.com highlighted a significant announcement from the Russian Ministry of Defense. They unveiled a bonus package for Russian soldiers who succeed in destroying Western equipment on the battlefield, extending beyond tanks to include armored vehicles deployed to Ukraine.
Specifically, taking out a Leopard, Abrams, or Challenger 2 tank would boost a soldier’s salary by $1,200. Destroying a Western-made armored infantry vehicle earns a $600 bonus. Russian sources claim that 14 Abrams tanks have already been destroyed, amounting to a payout of $16,800 for each tank.
In an interesting turn of events, gunner Andrey Kravtsov was awarded $12,000 in 2023 for taking down a Leopard 2 tank. Notably, this was not the first Leopard tank brought down in the Ukraine conflict. The reasons for Kravtsov receiving this specific sum aren’t entirely clear, but Russian sources suggest the amount could be cumulative, possibly boosted by private Russian entities in addition to the state rewards.
Block 15
Ukraine will receive different types of F-16 jets from partner countries. The most common one is the F-16AM/BM Block 15. This is an older version with basic electronics and systems. It has an AN/APG-66 radar, which was advanced for its time but isn’t as good as the newer models. The Block 40 version has important upgrades, including the AN/APG-68 radar, which has better range and resolution. It also comes with the LANTIRN system for better night and low-visibility flying.
The Block 50 version further improves the F-16 with the AN/APG-68[V]9 radar, which has an even greater range and better tracking. It can also carry advanced weapons like the AGM-88 HARM missile, which is used for targeting enemy defenses.
Block 60, also known as the F-16E/F, is one of the most advanced versions. It has the AN/APG-80 AESA radar, which is very good at detecting and tracking targets. It also has electronic warfare features, is more reliable, and has extra fuel tanks for longer flights along with advanced electronics for better situational awareness.
