In a move aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defenses against Russian aggression, the United States has granted approval for the dispatch of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands. This deployment is set to occur once pilot training reaches completion, as confirmed by a U.S. official on Thursday.
Ukraine, in its bid to counter Russian air dominance, has actively sought the acquisition of U.S.-manufactured F-16 fighter jets.
The U.S. administration has extended official commitments to Denmark and the Netherlands, assuring swift approval of transfer requests for F-16s destined for Ukraine once the pilots have completed their training, the official disclosed.
Denmark, in response, has expressed an intention to deliberate on supplying F-16s to Ukraine.
A consortium of 11 nations is poised to commence training Ukrainian pilots for F-16 operation later this month in Denmark, as announced by the Danish defense ministry on Friday.
Acting Defense Minister Troels Poulsen of Denmark had previously stated in July that the nation anticipated seeing the “outcomes” of the training by early 2024.
Playing a pivotal role, NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands have led international initiatives encompassing pilot training, logistical support, aircraft maintenance, and eventual facilitation of Ukraine’s acquisition of F-16s for use in its conflict with Russia.
In May, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte indicated serious consideration of providing Ukraine with F-16s, as the Netherlands gradually phases out these aircraft from its own armed forces.
According to statistics provided by the Dutch defense ministry, the Netherlands currently maintains 24 operational F-16s, a fleet scheduled for retirement by mid-2024. An additional 18 F-16s are available for purchase, with 12 tentatively sold.
U.S. President Joe Biden publicly endorsed training programs for Ukrainian F-16 pilots in May. Apart from the training conducted in Denmark, plans for establishing a training center in Romania were also in motion.
However, Kyiv’s air force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, conveyed on Ukrainian television that the U.S.-produced F-16 fighter jets would not be operational during the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
Privately, U.S. officials acknowledged that the arrival of F-16 jets would have limited impact on Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive and would not significantly alter the dynamics due to Russian air defense systems and the contested airspace above Ukraine.
The F-16 aircraft is manufactured by Lockheed Martin (LMT.N).
