US Approved Sending F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
The United States has granted approval for the deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands. This move is aimed at fortifying Ukraine's defenses against potential Russian aggression and comes after the completion of pilot training, as confirmed by an American official.
This development has been reported by Reuters.
Ukraine has actively sought American F-16 fighter jets to assist in countering Russian air superiority.
Washington has provided official assurances to Denmark and the Netherlands that the United States will expedite the approval process for transferring F-16s to Ukraine once the pilots have undergone training, as conveyed by the official.
Denmark and the Netherlands recently requested these assurances. The United States is required to sanction the transfer of military aircraft to Ukraine from its allies.
This month, a coalition of 11 countries led by Denmark was set to initiate training for Ukrainian pilots on operating F-16 fighter jets. In July, Denmark's acting Defense Minister, Troels Poulsen, expressed the country's hope for "results" from this training by early 2024.
As members of NATO, Denmark and the Netherlands are spearheading international efforts in training pilots, along with support staff, aircraft maintenance, and ultimately, facilitating Ukraine's acquisition of F-16s for potential use in a conflict with Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent letters to his Danish and Dutch counterparts, assuring them that the requests would be approved, according to an American official.
"I write to express full support on behalf of the United States for the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, as well as the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors," Blinken stated in a letter addressed to the two officials, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters.
Blinken added, "It remains critically important that Ukraine can defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression and violations of its sovereignty."
According to him, the approval of these requests will enable Ukraine "to fully utilize its new capabilities once the first group of pilots completes their training."
In May, U.S. President Joe Biden approved programs for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. In addition to training in Denmark, plans were to establish a training center in Romania.
Kyiv will not be able to operate the American F-16 fighter jets during the upcoming autumn and winter seasons, according to Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, who informed Ukrainian television late on Wednesday.
Earlier, The Gaze reported that in mid-July, along with Ukraine, a coalition of 11 partner countries signed a memorandum outlining the terms of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Training was scheduled to commence in August.
The first group of Ukrainian pilots for F-16 training has been selected. Once European allies finalize training plans, which will be approved by the United States, eight Ukrainian pilots proficient in English will be ready to start training on the fighter jets. Additionally, 20 pilots with basic English language skills will undergo language enhancement lessons in the United Kingdom over the course of a month.
A total of 32 Ukrainian pilots have been designated for potential participation in the F-16 training program, though a significant language barrier remains for those who are not proficient in English.
John Kirby, Coordinator of Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council, stated that F-16s could be integrated into the Ukrainian army by the end of this year.