The United States and its allies are preparing to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets as part of a long-term commitment to bolster the country’s security, a senior official from the Biden administration disclosed on Friday.
While specific details regarding the timing and sources of the fighter jets remain uncertain, the official clarified that the aircraft would not be utilized in Ukraine’s forthcoming counteroffensive against Russia. The U.S. and its allies will collaborate to determine when and how many jets will be provided, as well as which countries will contribute to the effort. President Joe Biden conveyed this news during a discussion with leaders of major industrialized nations at the ongoing Group of Seven summit in Japan.
“Our discussions about enhancing the Ukrainian air force signify our enduring dedication to Ukraine’s self-defense,” stated the senior administration official.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has persistently urged the U.S. to supply F-16s, despite previous refusals from the Biden administration. In February, Biden mentioned in an interview with ABC News that U.S. military advice at the time indicated that Ukraine did not require F-16s.
“For now, I’m ruling it out,” he had remarked regarding sending F-16s to Ukraine.
Officials from France and Poland have expressed willingness in the past to provide Ukraine with these advanced fighter jets. However, any transfer of American-made planes necessitates approval from the U.S. government.
The decision to equip Ukraine with F-16s coincides with the joint effort by the U.S. and its allies to train Ukrainian pilots on the jets, which is expected to commence in the coming weeks. The training will take place at locations in Europe and will require several months to complete.
Colin Kahl, the top policy official at the Pentagon, previously informed Congress that training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s could take approximately 18 months. However, other defense officials have suggested that the training period could be shortened to six to nine months based on pilots’ prior experience and knowledge of fighter aircraft.
During a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, Kahl estimated that revitalizing Ukraine’s military with F-16 jets could cost up to $11 billion. The financing for providing Ukraine with the aircraft has not been announced by G-7 leaders.
In March, NBC News reported that two Ukrainian pilots were undergoing assessments in the U.S. to determine the duration of their training to operate attack aircraft, including F-16s. Additionally, Washington approved the potential arrival of up to 10 more Ukrainian pilots in the U.S. for further assessments.
