Several countries confirm their intention to provide F-16 to Ukraine
6 June, 2023 F-16 fighter jets. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Jordan A certain number of countries have confirmed that they will provide Ukraine with their own F-16 fighters.
The names of countries are kept secret. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky noted that Ukraine will receive a "powerful amount" of these aircraft from international partners.
"We had a very important meeting in Moldova, where I had one closed meeting with a certain number of countries that definitely confirmed that they would give us F-16. To do this, we need a joint agreement with the United States. I cannot disclose the details," the President said.
Zelensky added that he had received from some European partners an understanding that the quantity of F-16s would be significant.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. Photo credits: Office of the President
"I have already received from some partners an understanding [concerning] quantity. It's powerful.
When I received this data, I had a day of happiness. There was a powerful proposal," Zelensky said. At the same time, according to him, the F-16 needs infrastructure that has to be built.
"In terms of infrastructure. There is no infrastructure yet, it will be built and prepared. It makes no sense to prepare it until there is an agreement (official - ed.) That we will have the appropriate aircraft," the President concluded.
He also noted that it is important that the coalition on aircraft become an "agreement on paper" within the Ramstein format or on other platforms. It is worth experiencing that F-16s are sensitive to the quality of the airstrip.
An F-16 fighter of the Netherlands Air Force at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
2022. Britain.
Photo by Andy Reeve-Smith
At the same time, the F-16 should help the Ukrainian Air Force be more effective, including because spare parts and materials for servicing these aircraft are much more affordable than spare parts for the Soviet MiG-29.
In addition, the F-16 and other fourth-generation Western fighters have significant potential to influence the dynamics of hostilities.
Recall that earlier it was reported that the Netherlands was considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters, but had not yet made a final decision.