First F-16 Fighter Jets Arrive in Ukraine
The first batch of F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine after extensive negotiations and pilot training, according to US and Lithuanian officials.
An anonymous US official confirmed the initial delivery to Reuters, while Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis praised the achievement, stating it makes the “impossible” seem “totally possible” for Ukraine.
Though the exact number of jets delivered remains unclear, Ukraine is expected to receive 20 F-16s by year-end. Following approval in August 2023, Denmark pledged 19 jets, and the Netherlands committed 24. Belgium and Norway also promised 30 and six F-16s, respectively.
Recently, a senior US official disclosed plans to enhance the jets’ capabilities with advanced weaponry, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s air defense and protect against Russian attacks.
However, defense analysts caution that the F-16s alone may not significantly alter the war’s dynamics due to the challenges of operating in heavily-defended areas.
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