Ukraine is all set to get long-awaited F-16 fighter jets as the United States on Friday agreed to an international coalition's proposal to deliver the aircraft to the war-torn country. However, it is still unclear when the transfer would materialise.
According to officials, Ukrainian pilots would have to undergo a six-month training on the fighter jets. In a guarantee letter, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the countries had the full support of the US for the transfer of the aircraft and for training the pilots. “I am writing to express the United States’ full support for both the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and for the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors,” The Guardian reported quoting Blinken. “It remains critical that Ukraine is able to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty,” Blinken said.
Washington's blessing for the plane donations to other countries is needed because the aircraft are made in the United States.
However, according to reports, fighter jets won't have an impact any time soon on the almost 18-month war. Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated fighter 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.
Ukrainian forces supporting infantry are using decades-old Soviet-era models, which are vulnerable to air-to-air missile attacks from Russian fighter jets, Captain 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.
Danish Defence Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Friday the training of Ukrainian pilots is starting this month.
A coalition of 11 Western countries - the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the United Kingdom - pledged in July to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s. Officials have previously said that Ukrainian pilots will need six to eight months of training.
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 on October 1.
President Joe Biden's authorisation last 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.
The administration had concerns that the move might escalate tensions with Russia. Also, US officials argued that learning to fly and logistically support the advanced F-16 would be difficult. Eventually, the go-ahead came because the F-16s are required for Ukraine's long-term security needs.
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.
A spokesperson of Ukraine's air force on Thursday said Ukraine will not be able to operate the advanced aircraft in the coming autumn and winter. Yuriy Ihnat, an Ukrainian Air Fforce spokesperson said, “We had big hopes for this plane, that it will become part of air defence, able to protect us from Russia's missiles and drones terrorism," Reuters reported.
(With PTI inputs.)