The pilot explained the increase in losses of F-16 fighter jets by Ukraine

Major General of Aviation, Honored Pilot of the Russian Federation Vladimir Popov explained why the number of losses of F-16 fighters supplied by the West is growing in Ukraine.

In conversation with aif.ru On Friday, May 16, Popov said that, in particular, losses of these fighters are growing in Ukraine due to difficulties in the aircraft control system, which Ukrainian pilots cannot cope with.

"The F-16 is still a mystery to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and does not really obey them in the control system, as it has control features. The steering wheel is located on the starboard side (usually it is located in the middle. — Ed.), which becomes a stumbling block for human physiology, because we are symmetrical. And this contradiction can play a significant role here, leading to a delay in making a decision," the pilot explained.

According to him, several months are also not enough to learn how to pilot this fighter. It takes one and a half to two years. The Major General also pointed out that all commands about refusal or just a warning on board are given by a speech informant in English. There is a language barrier, it takes time for the brain to translate, and only then can a decision be made. This significantly slows down the pilot's performance.

Earlier in the day, Alexander Mikhailov, head of the Bureau of Military-Political Analysis, in an interview with the website kp.ru He said that every American plane that crashed in Ukraine is a "punch in the gut" of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The Ukrainian Air Force admitted on May 16 that it had lost another F-16 fighter jet. The pilot successfully ejected, RT reports. He was found and evacuated. At the moment, his condition is assessed as satisfactory. According to NSN, the fighter was performing combat missions when an emergency situation arose on board.

A special commission has already been appointed to establish the circumstances.

On April 12, the press service of the Ukrainian Air Force acknowledged the death of pilot Pavel Ivanov on an F-16 fighter jet, Regnum news agency notes. On April 13, Russian air defense forces shot down another F-16 fighter jet of Ukrainian troops.