More F-16s being prepared for transfer to Ukraine – General Cavoli
Photo: Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (flickr by Secretary of Defence Public Affairs)
Ukraine will receive additional F-16 fighter jets from its partners. The aircraft are already being prepared for transfer, said Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher Cavoli during a hearing at the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
He noted that Ukraine has already received several F-16s from its partners, and Ukrainian pilots have been trained to operate them.
"There are more F-16s prepared to be deployed in there. There are more pilots in the training pipelines," Cavoli added.
He highlighted that Ukraine is actively using the F-16s, flying them every day. The jets have helped intercept numerous Russian missile attacks and have conducted multiple offensive strikes, including bombings in the east.
"None of the F-16s has been from the US, though. They've mainly been from northern European countries, Netherlands, Denmark," Cavoli said.
F-16 for Ukraine
Ukraine received its first F-16 fighters last summer. The aircraft were actively used to shoot down Russian missiles during massive shelling.
In particular, in early January, a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down six enemy cruise missiles during one flight.
The exact number of F-16s provided to Ukraine by its partners has not been disclosed.
