F-16 Fighters to Ukraine have Started, Secretary of State Antony Blinken Confirmed July 10th at the NATO Public Forum held in Washington, D.C.
“I’m pleased to announce that as we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands,” Blinken said. “And those jets will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression.”
While Blinken did Not Reveal how many Fighters will be included in the initial batch, a Joint Statement from U.S. President Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on July 10th, further noted that the Nations are committed to “further enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth-generation F-16 multirole aircraft.”
A Squadron often encompasses 12 to 24 Aircraft, confirming Kyiv could get several Dozen F-16s over the years, in line with previous Public pledges from Ukrainian Allies.
“This is a clear signal that Russia’s ability to terrorize Ukrainian people, cities, and communities will continue to reduce,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in a Statement on the X.
The Netherlands and Denmark are in varying stages of Acquiring the F-35s to Replace their F-16s, with plans to deliver up to 24 and 19 F-16s, respectively.
Belgium has plans to Transfer 30 Jets by 2028, with the First Delivery by the end of this year.
In a separate Announcement on July 10th, the Norwegian Government said it would provide Six F-16s, with deliveries also beginning this year.
“I am grateful to the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands for taking practical steps to achieve the goal of all Ukrainians: to strengthen the Ukrainian air force with F-16s,” Zelenskyy added in a Message that also thanked Belgium and Norway for their Commitments.
“F-16s will also be used to bolster Ukraine’s air defense. I am confident that they will assist us in better protecting Ukrainians from brutal Russian attacks, such as this week’s strike on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv.“
If All the Pledged F-16s arrive, Ukraine could ultimately have a fleet of 60 or more Jets in the coming years.
But the Delivery Schedule is contingent on some of the NATO Nations’ getting F-35 Fighters to Replace their F-16s, the Training Progress of Ukrainian Pilots and Maintainers, and continued Western Commitment to Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
“The coalition intends to support their sustainment and armament, as well as further associated training for pilots to enhance operational effectiveness,” the Joint U.S.-Netherlands-Denmark Statement read.
The exact Timing of the Jets’ touchdown in Ukraine or whether Munitions will be included in the initial Transfer is not Publicly known.
The Statement cited Operational Security concerns for Not unveiling further Details. Details on the Provision of Aircraft Munitions and how Ukraine will Base and Maintain the Jets have been far more murky than the Plans to provide Ukraine with the F-16 Airframes.
It is possible that Foreign Contractors could Support the sustainment of F-16s in Ukraine, given the Complexity of the Jets.
“I anticipate that our air force capability coalition will be strengthened even further through the joining of new participants,” Zelenskyy said. “F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time. Our team continues to work in Washington to reach agreements that are strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.”
The New Development follows a White House Announcement July 9th, that another NATO Coalition will arm Ukraine with “dozens of additional tactical air defense systems.” Specifically, Biden said the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Italy, will “provide Ukraine with equipment for five additional strategic air defense systems in the coming months.”
The Strategic Air Defense systems include U.S., Germany, and Romania, donating Patriot Batteries, the Netherlands donating Patriot Components, and Italy Donating a SAMP-T system. Additional Weapon Supplies such as: NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS, and Gepard systems, will follow “in the coming months,” according to a Release.
At the NATO Summit, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Countries would agree on a “Substantial Package” for Ukraine, highlighted by Five elements:
- The establishment of a NATO Command for Ukraine with 700 Personnel to Facilitate and ensure Training and Delivery of Security Assistance.
- A long-term Pledge to Support Ukraine to Facilitate and ensure Training and Delivery of Security Assistance to Ukraine.
- Announcement of New Military Support including the Air Defense systems and the F-16s NATO Allies’ Bilateral Security Agreements with Kyiv.
- Enhanced Interoperability including a New Joint Training Center in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and a Comprehensive Assistance package to help Ukraine implement Reforms on the Defense and Security Institutions, ensuring better Interoperability with NATO.
“These five elements, combined, constitute a bridge to NATO membership for Ukraine, and later today we will see the language which we will agree on, and then the NATO Declaration on how to ensure that Ukraine is moving closer to NATO membership,” said Stoltenberg.
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