First F-16 fighter jets to defend Kharkiv already this summer – The Guardian
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The Netherlands has recently announced that Ukraine will finally receive its first combat aircraft this summer, following some delays in pilot training. These aircrafts are expected to play a crucial role in safeguarding Kharkiv from potential enemy attacks.
The Guardian reports this.
The commander of the Air Force of the Netherlands, General Arnud Stollmann, expects that "at some point this summer," the F-16 fighters will finally take to the skies over Ukraine.
"Everything is coming together this summer," he said, speaking in front of two F-16s at the base, where a training program for Ukrainian maintenance instructors for the aircraft recently began.
As The Guardian notes, a training program for Ukrainian aircraft maintenance instructors has begun in the Netherlands. The general noted that it is important to train not only pilots, but also engineers who will serve the planes in the future.
Ukraine has been waiting for months to start using fighter jets.
The Guardian, citing numerous Ukrainian sources, writes that F-16s will protect Kharkiv from guided aerial bombs that the Russian Federation launches from aircraft in Russian airspace.
According to aviation specialist Anatoly Khrapchynskyi, the Russians may need to alter their strategy in response to Ukraine acquiring the F-16, as it will enhance their ability to effectively strike enemy aircraft and missiles.
Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have pledged to provide Ukraine with about 80 American-made F-16 fighters. But the process has been slowed by delays in the delivery of aircraft and pilot training.
"I fully understand the Ukrainian position, they want to do it as soon as possible… We are doing the project as fast as we can, we are really expanding our capabilities," Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said.
Compared to Soviet aircraft, the F-16 can carry more weapons and is equipped with a more powerful radar system. It takes about 10 people to operate one F-16, including two pilots and technical staff.
Experts believe that the Ukrainian military will be able to use the F-16 against Russian aircraft that release guided aerial bombs from a distance of 50 to 70 km.
"In recent weeks, Russia has widely used anti-aircraft missiles against the city of Kharkiv, launching bombs from aircraft that remain in Russian airspace. Numerous Ukrainian sources have reported that F-16s will protect Ukraine's second city from these weapons," the article says.
The Guardian notes that the Netherlands and Denmark allowed Ukraine to use the F-16 against Russian aircraft, even if they are in the airspace of the Russian Federation.
For reference:
At the end of March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, said Ukraine should receive Western F-16 fighter jets according to previously established plans and schedules.
It should be noted that trained F-16 maintenance specialists have already started returning to Ukraine. The Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces officially confirmed this.
It was also reported that the first group of Ukrainian pilots had already completed training on F-16 combat aircraft at the military base in Arizona, United States of America.
The first foreign instructor for operating F-16 fighter jets, which will be soon transferred to partner nations, has already arrived in Ukraine. He is a flight officer from the Greek Air Force.
Moreover, some of the Western F-16 fighter jets, which the partners will transfer to Ukraine as part of defense assistance, will be located at foreign air bases. The reason is the intention to protect the fighters from Russian strikes.
