First F-16s to arrive in Ukraine this year alongside trained pilots - Pentagon
Photo: Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin (Getty Images)
The first F-16 aircraft will begin arriving in Ukraine this year, along with trained pilots and maintenance personnel, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before the Ramstein meeting.
According to Austin, over the past two years, members of the Defense Contact Group have provided Ukraine with more than 70 medium- and long-range air defense systems, thousands of missiles, over 3,000 armored vehicles, including more than 800 main battle tanks, tens of thousands of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.
The first F-16 fighters will start arriving in Ukraine this year, along with pilots and maintenance personnel trained by members of this Contact Group, Austin says.
The 21st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format is taking place today. The Ministry of Defense notes that the allies will discuss the supply of ATACMS missiles, shells, and other weapons.
F-16s for Ukraine
Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets from the allies. The aviation coalition is led by the Netherlands and Denmark. The partners also train Ukrainian pilots and engineers.
The Ukrainian Air Force has previously noted that pilot training is in its final stages. Earlier, the United Kingdom announced the completion of training for Ukrainian pilots, and the next stage will take place in France.
The first F-16s are expected to arrive in Ukraine this year. However, the exact delivery dates are unknown.
