WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he hopes that training for Ukrainian pilots on American-made F-16 fighter jets will begin in the approaching weeks, bolstering Ukraine in the long term but not necessarily as a part of an anticipated spring counteroffensive against Russia.
Austin spoke as defense leaders from world wide assembled for a virtual meeting to debate the continuing military support for Ukraine. They were expected discuss which countries will provide F-16s, and the way and where the pilot training will probably be done.
The officials may also get an update on the war effort from Ukrainian leaders, including preparation for that anticipated counteroffensive and the way the allies, who’ve faced their very own stockpile pressures, can proceed to support Kyiv’s fight against Russia.
“We’re going to should dig deeper, and we’re going to should proceed to search for creative ways to spice up our industrial capability,” Austin said before the military leaders began their closed session. “The stakes are high. However the cause is just and our will is powerful.”
European countries have said they’re talking about which countries can have among the F-16s available. America had long balked at providing the advanced aircraft to Ukraine, and only last weekend did President Joe Biden comply with allow other nations to send their very own U.S.-made jets to Kyiv.
“We hope this training will begin in the approaching weeks,” Austin said. “This can further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force in the long run. And it’ll complement our short-term and medium-term security agreements. This recent joint effort sends a robust message about our unity and our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense.”
The leaders may also likely discuss Ukraine’s other continuing military needs, including air defense systems and munitions, artillery and other ammunition.
It was not immediately clear whether they may make any firm decisions on the F-16 issue, but initial steps have begun.
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, said Tuesday that training for Ukrainian pilots had begun in Poland and another countries, though Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said training was still within the planning phase. The Netherlands and Denmark, amongst others, are also planning for training.
“We are able to proceed and likewise finalize the plans that we’re making with Denmark and other allies to begin these these trainings. And naturally, that is step one that you’ve to take,” Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said, adding that initial discussions about who can have F-16s available to send is underway.
Ukraine has long sought the subtle fighter to provide it a combat edge because it battles Russia’s invasion, now in its second yr.
The Biden administration’s decision was a pointy reversal after refusing to approve any transfer of the aircraft or conduct training for greater than a yr due to worries that doing so could escalate tensions with Russia. U.S. officials also had argued against the F-16 by saying that learning to fly and logistically support such a sophisticated aircraft can be difficult and take months.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said this week that the U.S. decision on the F-16 was a part of a broader long-term commitment to satisfy Ukraine’s future military needs. He said the jets wouldn’t be relevant in any counteroffensive expected to start shortly.