International
Ukraine Receives First F-16 Fighter Jets – Zelensky
Ukraine has taken a significant step forward in enhancing its military capabilities by receiving its first batch of American-made F-16 fighter jets, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“F-16s in Ukraine. We did it,” President Zelensky declared at a ceremony held at an undisclosed airbase, standing alongside two of the newly arrived jets.
He expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s allies for providing the jets, though he emphasized the need for many more.
The arrival of these F-16s is a crucial development for Ukraine’s air force, which has been operating with outdated Soviet-era aircraft. More F-16s are expected in the future, although Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine currently lacks sufficient trained pilots to operate all the jets.
President Zelensky did not disclose the exact number of F-16s that have arrived or confirm if they were all supplied by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States, the countries he specifically thanked.
Since US President Joe Biden authorized European allies to send F-16s to Ukraine in August 2023, approximately 65 F-16s have been pledged by NATO countries. The F-16, introduced in 1978, is being phased out by many Western militaries in favour of the newer F-35, introduced in 2015.
The UK, although not possessing any F-16s, is contributing to Ukraine’s defence by supplying long-range Storm Shadow missiles that can be equipped on the jets.
Ukraine’s new F-16s will operate alongside Western-supplied surface-to-air missile systems like Patriot and Nasams, which are already deployed.
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With their ability to carry rockets, bombs, and missiles, the F-16s are expected to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to conduct strikes deep within occupied territories and possibly near the Russian border.
Additionally, these jets could aid in defending against Russian glide bombs, which have been a significant threat, with around 3,000 dropped in March alone, primarily from Su-34 fighter-bombers.
If Ukraine can safeguard its F-16s on the ground, there is hope they could help push back Russian aircraft, limiting their ability to target Ukrainian ground forces with glide bombs.
Kyiv has considered stationing some F-16s at foreign military bases, although President Vladimir Putin has warned that such bases would be legitimate targets for Russia.
Experts suggest the F-16s could provide crucial air support to Ukrainian ground forces, who have faced ongoing attacks, particularly in the eastern Donbas region.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has previously stated that any Western-made F-16s used by Ukraine would be “shot down,” but he also asserted that these deliveries would not significantly impact the situation on the front lines.
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