Belgium to transfer dozens of F-16 jets to Ukraine over next few years - Presidential Office
Ukraine will receive 30 F-16 fighter jets over the next four years (photo: wikipedia.org)
Ukraine already has schedules for the delivery of F-16 aircraft from partner countries, but they are long-term, according to the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva.
He highlighted that Ukraine has a declared commitment from partner countries regarding the number of F-16 aircraft needed by the Ukrainian Air Force, a figure previously emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zhovkva noted that these commitments come from four countries, each pledging a specific number of aircraft.
"Unfortunately, in some countries, the delivery schedules are quite lengthy. For example, Belgium has committed to providing 30 aircraft as part of our security agreement with them. However, they state that these 30 aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2028, which is unacceptable for us," Zhovkva stated.
He also underscored the importance of increasing the number of training centers for pilots, emphasizing that pilots need to learn combat tactics specific to the type of aircraft they will operate.
"The F-16 requires a completely different combat tactics approach. Therefore, we are discussing this issue, including in the relevant statement on the F-16 issued during the NATO Summit in Washington, which states that partners will work on expanding the number of training slots for Ukrainian pilots," added Zhovkva.
Zhovkva further explained that this enhancement in training facilities is not only for pilots but also for engineering personnel, aiming to optimize and reduce the training duration.
"During wartime, we cannot afford to undergo prolonged training periods as prescribed, perhaps, in textbooks. We can optimize this process," he emphasized.
Regarding the recent NATO summit, Zhovkva mentioned that President Zelenskyy held meetings with leaders of partner countries who have agreed to supply aircraft.
"We discussed these comprehensive issues with the leaders who supply us with aircraft. President Zelenskyy had a meeting with the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and there were corresponding meetings with other leaders. Certainly, this was also discussed during the meeting with President Biden, as the role of the US in the aircraft supply issue is also very important," Zhovkva concluded.
Transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has emphasized the need for Ukraine to acquire a minimum of 128 F-16 fighter jets to effectively compete with Russia in the skies.
During his address at the NATO summit in Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Denmark and the Netherlands have already begun transferring these fighter jets to Ukraine, expected to be operational in Ukrainian airspace by this summer.
Additionally, Norway will provide Ukraine with six F-16 fighter jets, with deliveries set to commence later this year.
For more insights into how these American F-16s could impact the battlefield, read the article by RBC-Ukraine.
