**Title: United States Approves Sending F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine to Counter Russian Invaders**
**Subtitle: Denmark and the Netherlands to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a defense measure**
*Washington, Aug 17 (Reuters)* – The United States has given its approval to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to help the country defend itself against Russian invaders. The decision was announced by a U.S. official on Thursday.
The move comes in response to Ukraine’s request for F-16 fighter jets as a measure to counter Russian air superiority. The United States has assured Denmark and the Netherlands that the requests for the transfer of F-16s will be expedited once the pilots are trained.
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra welcomed the decision, stating, “We welcome Washington’s decision to pave the way for sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.” He further mentioned that discussions on the subject will be held with European partners.
Denmark and the Netherlands had recently sought assurances from the U.S. regarding the transfer of the military jets to Ukraine, and the U.S. official confirmed that the approval process would now begin.
A coalition of 11 countries had planned to initiate the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets this month in Denmark. The training is expected to yield results by early 2024, according to Denmark’s acting Defense Minister Troels Poulsen.
NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands have been at the forefront of international efforts to train Ukrainian pilots, provide support staff, maintain aircraft, and ultimately enable Ukraine to acquire F-16s for use in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Netherlands, in particular, has expressed serious consideration of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, as it is phasing out these aircraft from its own armed forces. Currently, the Netherlands has 24 operational F-16s, which are expected to be phased out by mid-2024. Some of the planes are also available for sale, with 12 provisionally sold, according to the Dutch defense ministry.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent letters to his Danish and Dutch counterparts, assuring them that the transfer requests would be approved. In his letter, Blinken stated, “I am writing to express the United States’ full support for both the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and for the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors.” He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.
President Joe Biden had already endorsed the training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in May, with plans to establish a training center in Romania in addition to the training conducted in Denmark.
However, Ukraine’s air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat clarified that the country will not be able to operate the U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets during the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
Despite the approval of the transfer requests, U.S. officials have privately suggested that the F-16 jets may not make a significant difference in Ukraine’s current counteroffensive, citing Russian air defense systems and contested skies over Ukraine.
The F-16 fighter jet is manufactured by Lockheed Martin.