Press
The Netherlands is delivering the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine earlier than expected. But the challenges in the war against Russia remain great.
Kiev – For a long time, Western countries have been discussing the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Kiev in Ukraine War before more and more countries decided to provide the fighter jets. The F-16s, known as Fighting Falcons, would soon reinforce the depleted Ukrainian Air Force, secure the airspace over Ukraine and put pressure on the troops of Wladimir Putin exercise – at least that is the theory.
In practice, the support was accompanied by debates about the area of application of the fighter jets and delays in the training of pilots and the provision of the aircraft. The latest news from the Netherlands should therefore be all the more pleasing for Kiev: the first F-16s are likely to arrive earlier than planned.
F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine arrive earlier than planned
The first of the 24 promised fighter jets are to be delivered in the summer and will take to the skies over Ukraine. This confirmse Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren in conversation with European PravdaFrom then on, efforts will be made to ensure a “constant flow” of further deliveries in order to “increase the numbers and strengthen the Ukrainian air force,” Ollongren added.
However, the Dutchwoman did not give an exact date for the delivery of the first aircraft. “Denmark will be the first country to provide aircraft. And we will follow Denmark, but it is a joint effort.” The Dutch government had previously announced the first delivery of F-16 fighter jets for autumn this year. A few months difference could be of great importance given the increasing pressure from the Russian army in eastern Ukraine.
Threats from Russia – is Ukraine stationing its fighter jets on NATO bases?
However, it is still unclear where the aircraft will be stationed after delivery. A few days ago, Sergei Golubtsov of the Ukrainian Air Force spoke to the broadcaster Radio Free Europe stated that they plan to station the F-16 fighter jets abroad to carry out maintenance and training there. Another reason, however, is to protect the fighter jets from Russian missile attacks. Even though Golubtsov did not provide any more details, it is considered likely that a stationing in NATO-States is planned.
The Kremlin reacted immediately to the announcement and made it clear that in this case NATO airfields would also be considered legitimate targets. “If they take off from the airfields of another country, fly into Ukrainian airspace, fire missiles and return there, then that is a legitimate target,” said Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defense committee, to the news agency RIA Novosti.
Ukraine urgently needs pilots for F-16 fighter jets – training is progressing slowly
In addition to the promised F-16 fighter jets, the Ukrainian armed forces also need pilots who can handle Western aircraft. Until now, the country’s air force consisted of Soviet-built fighter jets such as the MiG-29 or the Su-27. This is why Ukrainian pilots are being trained in NATO countries in the cockpit of the Fighting Falcons – but there have been delays here too.
As the US magazine Politico At the beginning of June, Ukraine reported that it had 30 pilots ready to begin training on the F-16. However, the US government insists that only 12 pilots can take part in the training program in Tucson, Arizona, at the same time. Similar problems also exist in Denmark and Romania.
F-16 fighter jets need time to reach full effect – “can’t happen overnight”
The F-16 fighter jets will not be able to achieve their full effect until a few months after the first deliveries. The fighter jets will help to make the air force and air defense significantly stronger, Ollongren announced to European Pravda “But that can’t happen overnight when you get your first F-16s. So if that’s what people expect, I think we need to be a bit more realistic,” the minister continued.
After delivery, Ukraine can also use the Dutch fighter jets to attack Russian border areas in order to defend itself against Russian attacks. Ollongren reiterated this. However, not all members of the F-16 coalition share this position. Belgium had already announced that the aircraft provided by the country may only be used for attacks in Ukrainian airspace. The different areas of operation of the aircraft from different countries could become a new major challenge after the delivery of the F-16 jets. (fd)
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