Before Ukraine received its first batch of powerful F-16 Viper fighter jets, the U.S. Air Force stepped in to help make those planes even better. They upgraded the jets’ electronic warfare (EW) systems, which help defend against Russian threats. But here’s the cool part: Ukraine and the U.S. aren’t stopping there. Every time Ukraine’s pilots fly these jets in real combat, they will gather valuable information and share it with the U.S. This data will help both countries improve their electronic warfare abilities even further, giving them and their allies an edge on the battlefield.
The U.S. Air Force team behind this high-tech upgrade is the 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron (EWS), based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. This squadron is part of a larger unit called the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing, which specializes in electronic warfare and works closely with other nations. In fact, they teamed up with experts from Denmark and Norway to fine-tune Ukraine’s F-16s. These jets aren’t just any F-16s; they include planes from Denmark and the Netherlands that come with advanced self-protection systems to guard against enemy attacks.
Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway have pledged to send Ukraine around 91 F-16s over the next few years. Some of these planes will be used for spare parts, but many will become part of Ukraine’s air force. Greece is even considering sending 30 more F-16s. This steady flow of jets is helping Ukraine modernize its air force during this critical time.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this collaboration is the addition of a new electronic warfare capability that isn’t even in the U.S. Air Force’s current arsenal. This mystery system could give Ukraine a significant advantage as it defends itself against Russian air defenses. Some of these F-16s have special pylons—pieces of equipment attached to the jets—that are equipped with sensors to detect threats, electronic warfare jammers to interfere with enemy signals, and systems to launch decoy flares and chaff to confuse incoming missiles.
However, this kind of sophisticated technology posed a challenge for the U.S. experts. They had to understand the unfamiliar electronic warfare system and optimize it quickly to meet the aircraft delivery deadlines. By working closely with Denmark and Norway, the 68th EWS team managed to get the system up and running in just two weeks. They even sent members to Europe to work alongside coalition partners and test the new technology in person—a break from their usual operating procedures.
While the exact details of the upgrades are secret, we do know that electronic warfare systems rely on advanced data to detect and counter enemy radar signals. But this data needs constant updating, especially when enemies change their tactics or use new technology. The U.S. military is continuously refining its electronic warfare capabilities, aiming to develop systems that can adapt to new threats in real-time, even during a mission. This ability to “think on the fly” is considered the ultimate goal in electronic warfare.
The partnership between Ukraine and the U.S. will continue as Ukraine’s F-16s gather real-world data from combat. This information will be used to improve the jets’ systems and create new strategies for future missions. Usually, such updates come from training exercises, but Ukraine’s feedback will be based on real battle conditions, which is a huge advantage.
Of course, these upgrades won’t make Ukraine’s F-16s invincible. They still have to face one of the most heavily defended airspaces in the world. But even a single well-equipped F-16 could create a brief moment of air superiority, allowing Ukraine to strike strategic targets that could make a difference in the war.
The U.S. Air Force’s 68th EWS will continue to support Ukraine as they work to unlock the full potential of these F-16s, a process that will take time. But the jets are bringing new weapons, better self-defense systems, and other advanced technologies that Ukraine’s older Soviet-era jets couldn’t offer. There’s even talk of equipping the F-16s with long-range missiles like the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) that could hit targets deep inside enemy territory.
While Ukraine’s F-16s won’t single-handedly win the war, they represent a huge leap forward in capability. The collaboration between Ukraine and the U.S. on electronic warfare is helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible, not just for today, but for future air combat as well.
