US to Sell $310 Million Worth of F-16 Equipment to Ukraine
The US State Department has approved the potential sale of a package of F-16 fighter jet maintenance and training services to Ukraine worth about $310.5 million.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the US Department of Defence's Office of Military Cooperation.
The sale of the F-16 equipment was approved by the State Department as part of a military sales programme that stipulates that Ukraine will pay for the order, but the Pentagon will be the actual customer to ensure that it is completed faster.
The package approved by the State Department includes services such as modifications and upgrades to the F-16, training, spare parts and repairs, and necessary ground equipment.
In addition, Ukraine will be able to purchase ‘classified and unclassified’ software, publications and technical documentation, engineering, technical and logistical support services for the US government and contractors, etc.
‘The proposed sale is consistent with the international coalition's contributions to the F-16 programme for Ukraine and the overall modernisation of the Ukrainian Air Force,’ the Pentagon added.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Donald Trump administration recently informed Congress of its intention to approve the export of military goods to Ukraine through a direct commercial sale mechanism for $50 million or more.
This is the first such case under the new administration. So far, Trump has been evasive about the possibility of providing military assistance to Kyiv, emphasising his desire to end Russia's war against Ukraine as soon as possible.