Zelenskyy reveals plans for F-16s and security guarantees
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Obtaining F-16 aircraft and securing security guarantees for Ukraine is a complex process involving political coordination, partners' production capabilities, and financing, according to a press conference by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv.
"This is the beginning of a lot of work, it is very difficult, because the guarantees consist of what partners can give Ukraine, as well as what the army in Ukraine should be like and where we can get the capabilities for the army to maintain its strength," Zelenskyy says.
He explains that, for example, when it comes to F-16 aircraft, Ukrainians are very grateful to all partners for their coordination and for the fact that we already have such an air fleet.
"We don't yet have all the aircraft we need. But we know that these aircraft... well, there aren't enough of them to guarantee our safety in the sky. There is the number we need, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet," he adds.
At the same time, the President stresses that everyone needs to be on the same side so that partners share the assistance equally.
"They share the presence we need, what kind of air fleet we need. All this requires not only political will — that's number one — but also the manufacturer's capabilities — that's number two, because you want to get real help, not in 20 years. This means that someone has to give way to you in the queue, someone has to transfer newer aircraft," Zelenskyy notes.
At the same time, he notes that it is necessary to find funding for the necessary equipment.
"Who will finance this is also a very complicated process. And so when we talk about security guarantees, it's not easy because of such details," he adds.
F-16 aircraft in Ukraine
This summer, the Ukrainian Air Force received its first unique mobile complexes for servicing F-16 fighter jets. This will allow for the most effective use of aircraft during wartime.
Importantly, this is a completely Ukrainian development. The Come Back Alive Foundation created, manufactured, and delivered the complexes as part of an initiative called Project 61.
The complexes significantly increase aviation mobility in wartime conditions, when Russian troops are hunting down aircraft and airfields.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has already demonstrated mobile complexes for servicing F-16s.
