Ukraine Introduces ACE with F-16s in Real Combat Conditions

Ukrainian aviation is taking innovative steps in the field of military aviation, being the first in real combat conditions against a strong opponent to introduce elements of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) doctrine with F-16 fighter jets, reports the specialized publication Defense Express. According to the publication's analysis, the way of basing and maintaining the aircraft - constant movement between multiple points and a minimal ground footprint - puts Ukraine ahead of the United States in terms of specific tactical solutions within the framework of ACE.

The ACE doctrine is defined by the US Air Force as "a proactive and reactive maneuver scheme", the purpose of which is to increase survivability through decentralization, while generating combat potential. This includes the use of much smaller and temporary sites, multifunctional personnel, and mobile logistics - an approach that the Ukrainian Air Force has been applying out of necessity, as a result of the continuous strikes on large bases.

The reporter on the spot notes - as if from the dynamics of events - the constant movement of machines and people, who strive to ensure the operability of the fighter jets.

Specialized mobile complexes and a vehicle fleet for F-16 allow Ukrainian teams to plan missions, maintain and arm the aircraft on the move, far from predictable permanent bases. This is a classic ACE approach for "operations on the move".

Defense Express notes daily flights and high efficiency of F-16 in the fight against air threats. The publication quotes an American general who spoke of about 80% accuracy in the latest operations. The atmosphere of tension is palpable, especially in these moments.

In a separate case, Ukrainian F-16s neutralized seven Russian cruise missiles during a massive night attack - an example of how decentralized forces maintain their combat capability under constant fire pressure.

The real and large-scale application of ACE by Ukraine serves as a stress test of modern air warfare. It imposes new standards for mobile logistics, maintenance, and basing, which NATO has been training for years in peacetime. Observers already note that the Ukrainian experience is influencing how the US and its allies plan distributed operations in future conflicts.

The country continues to expand the infrastructure for F-16s, from training and system upgrades to providing spare parts (including donated non-flying airframes for "cannibalization"), to maintain a high pace of flights under decentralized basing.