THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The USA has given its approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, officials in Washington and Europe said Friday, in a significant gain for Kyiv regardless that the fighter jets won’t have an effect any time soon on the virtually 18-month war.
It was not immediately clear when the primary F-16s might enter the conflict but Ukrainian pilots will first should undertake not less than six months’ training on the aircraft, in accordance with officials.
Ukraine has long pleaded for the subtle fighter to offer it a combat edge. It recently launched a long-anticipated counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s forces without air cover, placing its troops on the mercy of Russian aviation and artillery.
In eastern Ukraine, attack helicopter pilots welcomed the news. They said Russia has a transparent advantage within the skies, however the introduction of contemporary fighter jets could dramatically shift the balance of power Kyiv’s way.
Ukrainian forces supporting infantry are using decades-old Soviet-era models, that are vulnerable to air-to-air missile attacks from Russian fighter jets, Capt. Yevgen Rakita, a spokesman for the 18th Army Aviation Brigade, told The Associated Press.
“A contemporary war can’t be won without aviation (capabilities),” Rakita said.
In making the choice on F-16 deliveries, Washington goals to make sure warplanes could be provided to Ukraine as soon as its pilots complete their training, in accordance with a Biden administration official who was not authorized to comment and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The official said U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken sent a letter to his Dutch and Danish counterparts earlier this week, offering formal assurance that the U.S. would fast-track approval of all requests from third parties to transfer F-16s to Ukraine.
Danish Defense Minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen said Friday the training of Ukrainian pilots is starting this month.
A coalition of 11 Western countries — the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK — pledged in July to coach Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s.
Officials have previously said that Ukrainian pilots will need six to eight months of coaching.
Denmark will hand over a few of its F-16s only after receiving its recent F-35 jet fighters. The primary 4 F-35s are attributable to be delivered on Oct. 1.
Washington’s blessing for the plane donations to other countries is required since the aircraft are made in the US.
Ukraine’s Western allies have at times moved slowly on granting Kyiv the military support it has requested.
President Joe Biden’s authorization last May for allies to coach Ukrainian forces on easy methods to operate the warplanes, and eventually to offer the aircraft themselves, was preceded by months of debate in Washington and quiet talks with allies, officials said.
The administration had concerns that the move might escalate tensions with Russia. Also, U.S. officials argued that learning to fly and logistically support the advanced F-16 could be difficult. Eventually, the go-ahead got here since the F-16s are required for Ukraine’s long-term security needs.
Though delivery is probably going months away, Washington says the F-16s — just like the advanced U.S. Abrams tanks — will likely be crucial in the long run as Kyiv faces down Russia.
Ukraine has been counting on older aircraft, similar to Russian-made MiG29 and Sukhoi jets. F-16s have newer technology and targeting capabilities. Also they are more versatile, experts say.
In other developments:
- Russian air defenses stopped drone attacks on central Moscow and on the country’s ships within the Black Sea, officials said Friday, blaming the attempted strikes on Ukraine. It was impossible to confirm the claims.
- Also Friday, a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship that this week set sail along a Black Sea temporary corridor established by Ukraine for merchant shipping safely reached the coast of Istanbul on Friday. The voyage was closely watchedto see whether the Russian navy would allow the Joseph Schulte container vessel to pass unmolested.
Kullab reported from eastern Ukraine and Olsen from Copenhagen. Aamer Madhani contributed from Washington and Jim Heintz from Tallinn, Estonia.