Why Ukrainian F-16s carry only four missiles - Defense Express explains
Illustrative photo: F-16 (wikipedia.org)
Ukrainian F-16s can only carry four missiles for shooting down targets, even though in some photos, these planes are depicted with 16 missiles and bombs, Defense Express reports.
Background
Today, it became known that a Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot set a record for downing enemy missiles during one of Russia’s mass attacks on Ukraine. He managed to shoot down six enemy cruise missiles in a single combat sortie.
The Air Force noted that the F-16 pilot first used all four air-to-air missiles with which the fighter was equipped.
What Defense Express says
The publication noted that this fighter jet has nine weapon hardpoints. Furthermore, there are photos online of F-16s equipped with 16 missiles and bombs in the so-called "beast mode."
According to Defense Express, these photos show the latest version of the F-16V Block 70/72, and for these photos, special multi-rack pylons known as AMBER (Advanced Missile and Bomb Ejector Racks) were used.
In general, the F-16 has nine weapon hardpoints:
- One under the fuselage
- Six under the wings
- Two at the wing tips
However, not all hardpoints support the placement of air-to-air missiles. Only six can do this: four under the wings and two at the wing tips.
The pylons closer to the wings and under the fuselage can only carry air-to-ground weapons, pods with additional equipment, or external fuel tanks. These tanks typically carry extra fuel, and without them, the F-16's combat range is significantly reduced.
During combat patrols, an F-16 consumes about 2,800–3,000 fuel per hour and up to 9,000 liters during active maneuvers. The internal tanks hold approximately 4,000 liters of fuel, so F-16s usually have additional tanks carrying 1,400 or 2,271 liters under the wings and 1,135 liters under the fuselage.
Despite this, two hardpoints remain available. In photos of Belgian F-16s, similar to those of Ukraine, the fighters can be seen carrying six AIM-120 missiles and two 370-gallon drop tanks. However, Ukraine likely received F-16s equipped with specialized ECIPS/CJS pod pylons used for electronic warfare (EW) and protecting the aircraft from missile attacks. As a result, these pylons may not be compatible with launching air-to-air missiles and can only carry bombs.
Thus, Ukrainian pilots are left with only four hardpoints for air-to-air missiles.
F-16 Pilot training
Previously, we wrote that Belgium would transfer 30 fighters to Ukraine by the end of 2028.
Additionally, at the end of August last year, it became known that Ukraine lost one of the received aircraft. This happened during a massive enemy attack on August 26. 
Oleksii Mes (Moonfish).
