US Approves Sale of F-16 Sustainment Services to Ukraine
11 December, 2024 Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise. American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighters.
2011. Ukraine.
Photo credits: poltava.to The U.S. Department of State has approved the sale of life support systems for F-16 multi-role fighter jets to Ukraine.
This is stated on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The possible foreign sale also includes equipment with an estimated value of £266.4 million. The Ukrainian government has requested the purchase of:
- Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS)
- AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL)
- minor modifications and maintenance support
- engine Component Improvement Program (CIP)
- spare and repair parts, consumables, and accessories
- repair and return support
- weapons software, weapons software support equipment, and classified and unclassified software and delivery support classified and unclassified publications and documentation
- personnel training and training equipment
- studies and surveys
- U.S.
Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services
Operator working on an E-8 aircraft with AN/PYQ-10. Photo: Senior Airman Ricky Best/www.af.mil
The main contractors will be Sabena, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, and Pratt and Whitney. "This proposed sale will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability," the DSCA website states.
The actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales contracts, if and when they are signed. In September of this year, the U.S. Department of Defense ordered F-16 fighter jet maintenance equipment for Ukraine.
The signed contract, worth USD 14.3 million, is expected to be completed by September 30, 2025, after which the equipment will be transferred to Ukraine. As part of this order, Ukraine will receive two transportable transponder landing instrument systems with corresponding Conex systems and trailers with spare components for the aircraft. In addition to the United States, the Netherlands is providing spare parts and equipment for the maintenance and repair of Ukrainian F-16s worth EUR80 million.
F-16 fighter jet of the Ukrainian Air Force.
August 2024. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine
Norway will aid Ukraine with spare parts and weapons for F-16 fighter jets, as it was reported in late October. Norway's new assistance in the amount of £118.8 million will be allocated as a grant through the US JUMPSTART mechanism.
Ukraine will also receive 6 fighter jets from Norway, 19 more were announced by Denmark, 24 by the Netherlands, and 30 by Belgium.