After a prolonged wait, Ukraine will finally receive the much-anticipated F-16 fighter jets, as the first batch of US-built planes are being transferred from Denmark and the Netherlands. These jets will soon be flying over Ukrainian skies this summer.
At the NATO 75th anniversary summit in Washington, US President Joe Biden confirmed the transfer, stating, “We can and will defend every inch of NATO territory and we’ll do it together.” He noted that Denmark and the Netherlands had begun sending F-16 jets to Ukraine, fulfilling a key promise made last year to Kyiv, which has struggled to achieve air parity with Russia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the significance of the transfer, stating it “concentrates Vladimir Putin’s mind on the fact that he will not outlast Ukraine, he will not outlast us.”
In a social media post, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands for helping “to strengthen the Ukrainian air force with F-16s.”
The F-16 fighter jets, equipped with a 20 mm cannon and capable of carrying bombs, rockets, and missiles, have long been on Ukraine’s wish list since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. Following extensive negotiations, Kyiv will soon see these planes in action.
While the exact number of aircraft en-route to Kyiv is not yet known, a statement by the leaders of the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands indicated a commitment to donating additional jets. Officials have informed the Washington Post that Ukraine is expected to eventually field 60 F-16s.
The need for these planes became increasingly apparent after a Russian attack on a hospital resulted in the deaths of 37 children. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store highlighted this, telling the Washington Post, “If you don’t have air control, you’re extremely vulnerable. And you have seen in recent weeks or months it is starting to change now the vulnerability of Ukraine of not having planes and not having sufficient air defense. When you see the brutality of the recent round of attacks from Russia … that is badly needed.”
The transfer of F-16s marks a significant milestone in bolstering Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and addressing the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict with Russia.