Patriot misfire: Friendly fire incident reveals tech limits
According to "The Wall Street Journal," the incident involving an F-16 that occurred in Ukraine in the summer of the previous year resulted from "friendly fire" originating from the Patriot system. This situation arose because the American equipment underwent upgrades before being sent to the front and was stripped of one of its key recognition systems.
The first F-16 fighter jet was destroyed in August 2024, which the Ukrainian side did not conceal. However, the causes of the incident were unclear, and although it was ruled out that the Russians were responsible, pilot errors were suggested. The pilot, Oleksii Mes from the 204th Tactical Aviation Brigade, was experienced but unfortunately died in this disaster.
Ukrainians shot down the F-16 themselves
"The Wall Street Journal" reports that Ukrainians themselves shot down the F-16 fighter jet with another piece of American weaponry they received as support - the Patriot air defence system.
However, American journalists do not accuse the Ukrainians of negligence. They point out that the main cause of the incident was the limitations they faced. The F-16 aircraft sent to the front were stripped of the Link-16 tactical information system, as repeatedly emphasized by Ukrainian experts discussing their army's problems.
To gain situational awareness, the United States and its European allies use a tactical network called Link 16, which provides real-time visibility of all network participants - aircraft, ground units, ground-based air defences, command resources, etc. This visibility makes operations safer for allies and more effective against the enemy, explain "The Wall Street Journal" journalists.
Americans fear losing sensitive technologies
The findings of "The Wall Street Journal," which cites sources in the Ukrainian parliament and activist Daria Kaleniuk, also indicate that at the time of the incident, the components needed to use the Link-16 system were not equipped in the Patriot systems. During their transfer to the front, the arrival of F-16 fighters there was not anticipated, but it happened nonetheless.
Many observers of the war in Ukraine have often pointed out that Joe Biden's administration's policy towards Ukraine has been characterized by excessive caution. Daria Kaleniuk shares this view, admitting in an interview with "The Wall Street Journal" that American weapons may have been stripped of the Link-16 system out of fear of angering Russia.
This is not the only known case of selected elements being removed from American weapons sent to the front in Ukraine. In some cases, the situation is clearer and explained before the transfer. This was the case with the Abrams tanks, for example. The units given to Ukraine were stripped of depleted uranium armour in favour of tungsten inserts, dictated by concerns over the Russians obtaining sensitive American technology.
