The United States signals support for allies to send their F-16 jets to Ukraine

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The United States will give the green light to allies who wish to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and help train Ukrainian pilots to fly the aircraft, paving the way for one of the most significant upgrades in Kiev’s military capabilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion last year.

President Joe Biden told G7 leaders on Friday that Washington would support a joint training effort Ukrainian pilots and later equip the country’s air force with F-16s and other fourth-generation fighter jets, a US official said.

The passage of the United States is a diplomatic victory for the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which will further raise his cause military support when he attends the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, this weekend.

Zelensky hailed a “historic decision” by the White House. “This will greatly improve our army in the sky,” he said on Twitter.

Washington sees the effort as part of ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to strengthen its capabilities and defend itself for the long term. The US is unlikely to supply its own F-16s to Kiev.

“As the training takes place over the next few months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when we actually supply the jets, how many we will supply, and who will supply them,” a senior administration official said.

Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan rejected suggestions that the US would change its policy. He said the United States had decided at different stages of the conflict which weapons were more appropriate.

“We have come to a moment where it is time to look ahead and say what Ukraine will need as part of a future path to be able to deter and defend against Russian aggression in the future,” Sullivan said. “F-16s and fourth-generation fighter jets are part of the solution.”

Zelensky it had been pressing its allies for months to supply modern fighter planes to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force, which relies on older Soviet-built fighter jets that are inferior to Russian aircraft. Kiev has set its sights on the F-16, a Lockheed Martin-built multi-role fighter that is used by multiple Western militaries.

But Washington had long resisted the supply of F-16s, arguing they weren’t a priority for Ukraine and also that they might push Moscow to escalate the war.

However, Ukraine’s efforts to assemble a coalition of countries willing to supply F-16s quickly gained traction this week as Britain, France, the Netherlands and other allies said they would begin training Ukrainian pilots.

The training is now expected to take place in Europe and involve the United States and potentially many other partners. The process could take several months and Western jets are unlikely to take to the skies over the Ukrainian skies in the foreseeable future, which means they will not help support an imminent counteroffensive against Russian forces.

The US official said, “President Biden is sending a powerful signal that the United States and our allies and partners are fully united in ensuring that Ukraine remains sovereign, independent and secure with the ability to defend itself and deter future attacks.” .

Defense Minister of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov, said the jets will be Zelenskyy’s main topic of discussion in Japan.

“The air platform should be part of Ukraine’s air defenses,” Reznikov told the Financial Times. “Air defenses are our number one priority.”

The F-16s would strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and allow it to support ground operations by challenging Russia’s tactical air supremacy on the front lines. Much will depend on what weapon systems Western partners are willing to supply.

The Netherlands is phasing out its F-16s and could potentially be one of Ukraine’s biggest suppliers. Denmark and Belgium also have F-16s.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, welcomed the US announcement on Friday and said that “the modalities will be worked out in the coming weeks”.

British prime minister Rishi Sunakwho headed the fighter aircraft coalition and was the leader to engage in training for Ukrainian pilots, said his country would work with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark “to get Ukraine air capability combat gear it needs.”