Ukraine receives first batch of F-16 fighters from allies - Bloomberg
Illustrative photo: Allies have delivered the first batch of F-16s to Ukraine (Getty Images)
The first batch of American F-16 fighters has likely arrived in Ukraine. The exact number remains unknown, Bloomberg reports.
According to sources cited by the news agency, allies initially planned to deliver the first batch of F-16s to Ukraine by the end of July, and that deadline was met.
However, Bloomberg’s sources added that the number of aircraft delivered is small.
The sources clarified that it is still unclear whether Ukrainian pilots, who have been training on the F-16s over the past few months, will be able to use the delivered fighters immediately or if the process will take more time.
Bloomberg reports that press secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Diana Davitian declined to comment on this information.
What preceded
Just under a year ago, Denmark and the Netherlands promised to provide Ukraine with around 60 F-16 fighters. This was in response to frequent appeals from Ukrainian officials for such aircraft.
The F-16s are expected to help reduce Russia's aerial superiority, as Russian aviation is much more modern than Ukraine's.
Following the announcement of the supply, Ukrainian pilots began training on the F-16s. Their training has been conducted and continues in the USA and Denmark.
At the beginning of July, during the NATO summit, US President Joe Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced in a joint statement that the process of delivering F-16s to Ukraine had already begun.
The leaders of the three countries assured that the F-16s would start flying over Ukraine this summer.
For a detailed analysis of whether the American-made fighter jets will impact the battlefield situation, see the RBC-Ukraine material.
