NATO allies deliver promised F-16 fighters to Ukraine in first batch – Bloomberg
Photo: AP Photo / Ahn Young-joon
The first batch of promised F-16 fighters from NATO allies has arrived in Ukraine.
Bloomberg reports this, referring to sources.
The deadline for transferring the aircraft was officially set for the end of July and was successfully met. According to sources, the number of fighters is relatively small.
It's unclear if fully trained Ukrainian pilots will immediately be able to use the F-16 or if the process will take longer.
After more than a year, the planes have finally arrived in Ukraine. However, the process was complex due to delays, issues with spare parts, and a language barrier between the Ukrainian pilots and their foreign instructors. Planners are also concerned that the country does not have enough airstrips and that those that do exist are vulnerable to Russian attacks.
Earlier, Bloomberg wrote that Ukraine expected to receive six F-16 fighters this summer and up to 20 by the end of the year. Potentially, the country would be able to host an F-16 squadron — from 15 to 24 aircraft.
For reference:
In May 2023, US President Joe Biden authorized the training of Ukrainian pilots on American F-16 fighter jets. This was followed by announcements from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium that they would provide aircraft to Ukraine for upcoming exercises in Denmark and Romania.
The rest of the countries have confirmed their readiness to participate in training Ukrainian pilots for the F-16.
In November 2023, the Romanian city of Fetes inaugurated an F-16 fighter pilot training center where Ukrainian pilots would receive training. The base's instructors include representatives from Romania, the Netherlands, and the USA, as well as military pilots from other NATO member countries.
The first group of Ukrainian pilots graduated from the USA in May.
Moreover, Denmark trained 50 Ukrainian F-16 maintenance specialists.
