US partially stops support for F-16 fighters in Ukraine - Forbes

According to the publication, the US cannot simply "turn off" the F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. However, the US has suspended critical support for the radar systems on the F-16s currently in Ukraine.

"That could deprive the Ukrainian air force of its most important aerial countermeasures at a critical moment in Russia’s three-year wider war on Ukraine. But the Ukrainians aren’t powerless—and they still have allies," Forbes writes.

The publication notes that Ukraine may replace the F-16s with Mirage 2000 fighter jets, which they are receiving from France.

Analyst David Axe points out that Ukrainian forces are indeed in a difficult position following Trump’s decision, but it is not without hope. In his opinion, the Ukrainian Armed Forces should focus on the French Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

The French Ministry of Defense has promised to install new electronic warfare systems on the Mirage 2000 jets before they are delivered to Ukraine. It is likely that the system in question is the analog Integrated Countermeasures Suite Mark 2 or the fully digital Integrated Countermeasures Suite Mark 3.

It is important to note that the US has halted its aid to Ukraine, as well as the intelligence-sharing agreement. For more on whether Ukraine’s air defense can counter Russian attacks without the US, read the full article from RBC-Ukraine.

Mirage 2000 takes down missiles for the first time

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the French Mirage 2000 fighter jets participated for the first time in repelling a massive Russian attack on March 7. The jets downed Russian cruise missiles.

Later, footage of the Mirage 2000 in action over Ukraine was shared online.

It is also worth mentioning that the Ukrainian Air Force noted that F-16 aircraft were also involved in repelling Russian attacks on Ukraine that day.