2024-08-02 09:22:55
Coming soon to Denmark too
Ukraine’s long-awaited US-made F-16 fighter jets have been delivered to Ukraine for the first time.
The British daily newspaper The Times reported on the 31st (local time), citing an informed source, that six F-16s provided by the Netherlands had arrived in Ukraine for the first time. It also said that F-16s from Denmark would be delivered soon after.
The Associated Press and Bloomberg also confirmed, citing sources, that Ukraine has received its first F-16 fighter jets.
The UK’s Telegraph reported that the Ukrainian Air Force had completed its first combat mission since the arrival of the F-16s.
The Ukrainian Air Force has yet to officially confirm this.
The F-16s were delivered just one year after the four North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies pledged support and 30 months after the outbreak of the Russo-Russian War.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense previously told the Dutch parliament on July 1 that “the first fighter jets will be delivered soon.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 16 that the fighter jets would arrive soon from Denmark.
A video posted on Ukrainian Telegram on July 18 showed F-16 fighter jets flying over Ukraine, but has not been verified. However, The Times pointed out that Bloomberg News reported on the 31st, citing an anonymous source, that “a small number of F-16 fighter jets have been delivered for the first time.”
The F-16 fighter jets are something Ukraine has been desperately requesting.
U.S. President Joe Biden approved aid to Ukraine in August last year after long hesitation over concerns about escalating conflict with Russia.
Ukraine has agreed to receive about 80 aircraft over several years from NATO members Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. President Zelensky has requested “at least 128” to ensure air supremacy in a war with Russia.
About 20 are expected to be delivered next year, enough to form a single squadron.
However, as it is an aging fighter jet, it is likely that some of it will be scrapped for parts, the Times reported.
Meanwhile, the fighter jets that can fly will be equipped with advanced American weapons, including the latest radars from manufacturer Lockheed Martin, anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs, and medium-range air-to-air missiles.
In this regard, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the Ukrainian-supported F-16s “will be armed with the most advanced AGM-88 HARM air-to-ground missiles, the advanced medium-range air-to-ground missile AMRAAM, and the AIM-9X short-range air-to-air missiles.”
The F-16s deployed in Ukraine are expected to be used primarily for defensive rather than offensive purposes. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander Dirkroo confirmed the planned support in May, but also said that “Ukraine does not allow them to be used outside their territory.”
The F-16 can fly at up to twice the speed of sound and has a maximum range of 3,200 km.
Initially, there were expectations that it would be a game changer, but it is analyzed that there will be limitations due to the fact that only six pilots have completed training and the ability to protect the airfield.
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2024-08-02 09:22:55