Russia and Ukraine

[Thumpalumpacus]

Russia doesn't have air superiority for the f16s to take.

But their extended-range AAMs mean that the Russian planes launching cruise missiles and glide bombs will have to stand off even further. This means fewer civilian casualties, and also more potential areas to deploy reserves. And while neither side has air superiority, both sides are still flying missions, and the F-16 will be more capable than anything currently flying in-theater, which may allow the Ukrainians to seize air superiority at a time and place of its choosing.