U.S. approves delivery of Dutch and Danish F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, officials say
THE HAGUE — The U.S. has given its approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, officials in Washington and Europe said Friday, in a major gain for Kyiv even though the warplanes won’t have an immediate impact on its almost 18-month-old war with Russia.
It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict, but Ukrainian pilots first have to undertake at least six months’ training on the aircraft, according to officials.
Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated warplane to give it a combat edge. It recently launched a long-anticipated counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover, placing its troops at the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery.
However, Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, told reporters in Washington that he didn’t expect the F-16s to be a game changer for Ukraine. Getting F-16 squadrons ready for battle could take “four or five years,” he said.
Even so, attack helicopter pilots in eastern Ukraine welcomed the news. They said Russia has a clear advantage in the skies, but the introduction of modern fighter jets could dramatically shift the balance of power Kyiv’s way.
Ukrainian air units supporting ground troops are using decades-old Soviet-era models, which are vulnerable to air-to-air missile attacks from Russian fighter jets, Capt. Yevgen Rakita, a spokesman for the 18th Army Aviation Brigade, told the Associated Press. “A modern war cannot be won without aviation [capabilities],” Rakita said.
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In making the decision on F-16 deliveries, Washington aims to ensure that warplanes can be provided to Ukraine as soon as its pilots complete their training, according to a Biden administration official who was not authorized to comment and spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken sent a letter to his Dutch and Danish counterparts earlier this week, offering formal assurance that the U.S. would fast-track approval of all requests from third parties to transfer F-16s to Ukraine.
Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Friday that the training of Ukrainian pilots was starting this month.
A coalition of 11 Western countries — the Netherlands, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden — pledged in July to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s.
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Denmark will hand over some of its F-16s only after receiving its new F-35 jet fighters. The first four F-35s are due to be delivered Oct. 1.
Washington’s blessing for the plane donations is needed because the aircraft are made in the U.S.
Ukraine’s Western allies have at times moved slowly on granting Kyiv the military support it has requested.
President Biden’s authorization in May for allies to train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the warplanes, and eventually to provide the aircraft themselves, was preceded by months of debate in Washington and quiet talks with allies, officials said.
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The administration had concerns that the move might escalate tensions with Russia. Also, U.S. officials argued that learning to fly and logistically support the advanced F-16 would be difficult for the Ukranians. Eventually, the go-ahead came because it was determined the F-16s are required for Ukraine’s long-term security needs.
Though delivery is likely months away, Washington says the F-16s — like the advanced U.S. Abrams tanks it’s providing — will be crucial in the long term as Kyiv faces down Russia.
Ukraine has been relying on older aircraft, such as Russian-made MiG29 and Sukhoi jets. F-16s have newer technology and targeting capabilities. They are also more versatile, experts say.
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses stopped drone attacks on central Moscow and on the country’s ships in the Black Sea, officials said Friday, blaming the attempted strikes on Ukraine. It was not possible to verify the claims.
Also Friday, a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship that this week set sail along a temporary Black Sea corridor established by Ukraine for merchant shipping safely reached the coast of Istanbul on Friday. The voyage was closely watched to see whether the Russian navy would allow the Joseph Schulte container vessel to pass unmolested.
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