The recent change in the relationship between the United States government and Ukraine is having an impact on the capabilities that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have deployed in recent months. The decision of the Trump administration to temporarily suspend the provision of intelligence information would also affect the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force’s F-16 fighters, particularly the various electronic warfare subsystems they use to operate in the contested theater of operations. In this environment, electronic countermeasure and self-protection systems are key to increasing the survivability of the deployed aircraft.
The latest reports from American media indicate that the Republican government would have suspended, in the best case, or completely canceled, in the worst, the support and maintenance of the AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure systems, which equip the combat aircraft transferred by European allies.
Since their official presentation and incorporation last August, the equipment of the F-16 fighters transferred by a coalition of European countries, with the approval of the United States, has been the subject of analysis and scrutiny by the specialist community. Every new image officially released by the Ukrainian Air Force, as well as those obtained by OSINT media, is examined to evaluate the capabilities that the Fighting Falcons are deploying in missions ranging from air coverage and interception to, more recently, attacking ground targets.
In this last aspect, for example, a few days ago, images and videos revealing the weapon configuration used by Ukrainian F-16 fighters went viral on social media. Through these sequences, it was confirmed that the combat aircraft were already using GBU-39 SDB glide bombs. Additionally, on one of the aircraft returning from a mission, the presence of AIM-120C AMRAAM, AIM-9L, and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles was observed.
However, in those same images, the AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasure system, developed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman, could also be seen. In combination with other electronic warfare subsystems, this equipment provides the F-16s with essential capabilities to increase their survivability in a highly contested environment, where the presence of various types and ranges of Russian surveillance radars and air defense systems is a constant threat.
Although no additional official details have been disclosed, the delivery and incorporation ceremony in August allowed for a glimpse of some of the electronic warfare capabilities possessed by the Ukrainian F-16s, beyond the mentioned AN/ALQ-131. On that occasion, the presence of Terma pylons confirmed that the first aircraft came from the inventories of the Royal Danish Air Force. In detail, the ECIPS+ (Electronic Combat Integrated Pylon System with Missile Warning System) and the PIDS+ (Pylon Integrated Dispenser System with Missile Warning System), characteristic of Danish F-16AM/BM aircraft, were identified.
Strengthening these capabilities is so critical that the USAF itself has provided assistance to optimize the systems equipping the F-16s transferred to Ukraine by Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, as confirmed by the institution itself. One example of this was the participation of the USAF’s 68th Electronic Warfare Squadron, which collaborated in the preparation of the fighters transferred to Ukraine.
Regarding the AN/ALQ-131 systems, it is worth noting that they are an advanced electronic countermeasure system installed on the F-16s via a pylon located on the ventral part of the fuselage. According to Northrop Grumman, this equipment allows for the detection and identification of threats, as well as the use of coherent and non-coherent jamming techniques to neutralize them. Additionally, the company highlights that the latest versions of the system incorporate an architecture derived from technologies present in advanced fighters such as the F-16 Block 60 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. These improvements, according to the company, “do not modify the size, weight, or power requirements of the system, nor do they require mandatory modifications to the aircraft.”
According to a recent article published in Forbes magazine, the U.S. government would have suspended support for these electronic warfare systems, which are vital for the Ukrainian F-16s to operate in contested environments and counter the adjustments that the Russian Armed Forces implement in their air defense systems, such as frequency changes and operational mode shifts.
The article mentions that “…the Russian Air Force could evade jamming by reprogramming its radars to operate on slightly different frequencies. Under the Biden administration, the USAF team could have kept pace with Russian adaptation by constantly adjusting the AN/ALQ-131’s own frequencies. Under Trump, Ukrainian aviators are stuck with systems whose programming could become obsolete in a short time.”
To date, this issue is generating concern both inside and outside Ukraine, as the ambiguous stance of the new Republican administration makes European partners doubt the commitment of the United States, which is already under question. It also raises uncertainty about the future sustainment of U.S.-origin platforms in service with most European armed forces.
Various sources suggest that this measure, possibly framed within the suspension of intelligence provision to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, seeks to pressure the Zelensky government into adopting a more open stance in negotiations to end the war with Russia.
Finally, in the context of the viral spread of this news, President Trump himself, in a Q&A session aboard Air Force One, hinted that the suspension of intelligence provision to Ukraine could be lifted soon. However, no details have been provided regarding the expected timeframe or whether, if the suspension is lifted, support for the electronic warfare systems of Ukrainian F-16s will be restored.
Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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