A Ukrainian F-16 pilot has confirmed that Western-supplied fighter jets are now taking part in electronic intelligence (ELINT) missions over Ukraine, according to a video interview released Wednesday by the Ukrainian Air Force.
The video, originally shared on youtube by the Ukrainian Air Force, was partially translated on X by the account @wartranslated, providing insight into how Ukraine is deploying these advanced jets, originally supplied by NATO countries to strengthen its air force.
A Ukrainian F-16 pilot has given an interview for the first time.
In the interview, the F-16 pilot, whose name is withheld for security reasons, revealed that he regularly conducts aerial reconnaissance flights over Russian targets and troops. Nearly every day, he carries out… pic.twitter.com/6XKDloT9TV
— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) March 26, 2025
ELINT missions involve the collection and analysis of electronic signals, such as radar emissions, from military equipment. These missions aim to understand how enemy systems operate and play a crucial role in planning military operations.
The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, explained that the F-16s, which are used daily for strikes on Russian positions, are being used for escorting other Ukrainian aircraft, and intercepting electronic signals from Russian radar and communications systems.
Through these ELINT operations, valuable intelligence has been gathered on Russian air defense systems, including the S-300 and S-400.
“With the arrival of Western equipment, the situation with carrying out fighter cover missions has improved,” the pilot said. “We now have different weaponry, more high-quality weaponry. The Russians understand that as well.”
Three ship formation of Ukrainian Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcons on a combat air patrol, all armed with a mix of AIM-120C AMRAAMs and AIM-9L/M Sidewinders. pic.twitter.com/QqVLlxj9LX
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 26, 2025
Ukrainian F-16AM Falcon selfie.
Armed with 2x AIM-120Cs, 1x AIM-9L/M, and 1x AIM-9X pic.twitter.com/iBKhmrUuZq
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 26, 2025
Online media BulgarianMilitary.com noted that although the F-16 is known for its versatility as a fighter jet, it is not primarily designed for ELINT missions.
“For Ukraine’s F-16s to perform ELINT, they would require additional equipment, likely in the form of external pods mounted under the wings. One possible system is the AN/ALQ-131, an electronic countermeasures pod that can be adapted for signal collection,” the news outlet said.
F-16 from the Ukrainian Air Force spotted. Equipped with two external fuel tanks for extended range and an AN/ALQ-131 electronic warfare system to protect against enemy radars and targeting systems. pic.twitter.com/wQMYRRO4EC
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) March 18, 2025
Ukraine has received or been promised around 60 F-16s from several NATO countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. France has sent Mirage 2000-5 jets but is not part of the F-16 program. Not all of the aircraft are operational, and training continues in the U.S., U.K., and other NATO countries.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed last week that a new batch of F-16s had arrived in Ukraine, though he did not say how many.
