US outlines “red lines” for Ukrainian F-16s

20 March, 2024 Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise. American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighters.

2011. Ukraine.

Photo credits: poltava.to The Pentagon has outlined "red lines" on the use of Ukrainian F-16s during the Russian-Ukrainian war. ArmyInform reported on this, citing Patrick Ryder, the US Department of Defense Press Secretary, in an interview with RFE/RL.

Responding to a question about restrictions on F-16 use, Ryder replied that Western countries see the use of these fighter jets only within the sovereign territory of Ukraine. According to the official, after receiving the fighter jets, Ukraine will have "a unique air capability that is intended to focus on Ukraine's defense of its sovereign territory and within Ukraine's sovereign borders."

Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise. American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets.

2011, Ukraine. Photo credits: poltava.to

Militarnyi previously reported that Romanian President Klaus Iohannis approved the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets at a training center in Romania. He also agreed to the transportation of international military aid for Ukraine through the country's territory.

This issue is soon to be considered at a meeting of the leaders of both houses of the Romanian Parliament. The vote is to take place at the next joint plenary session. On March 11, with reference to The New York Times, it was reported that the first six F-16 fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine by the summer of this year.

Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise.

American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jets.

2011, Ukraine. Photo credits: poltava.to

The newspaper reports that twelve pilots so far are expected to be ready to fly F-16s in combat by this summer after 10 months of training in Denmark, Britain, and the United States. At the same time, the article's authors emphasize that by the time the pilots return to Ukraine, as few as six F-16s will have been delivered out of about 45 of the fighter jets that European allies have promised.

In addition, the publication claims that Ukrainian pilots have not yet arrived at the training center at the Romanian Fetesti air base, 150 kilometers east of Bucharest, where they were supposed to receive flight training on F-16s.

The publication writes that the F-16 fighter jets are ready, and pilot instructors are waiting at a new training center in Romania.