Zelenski: F-16 fighter jets are already in use

2024-08-05 08:21:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

During his speech on the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, President Zelensky appeared with two F-16 jets in the background. They had the coat of arms of the republic of Ukraine stamped on their tails and were covered with camouflage netting. Ukraine has started using F-16 fighter jets to defend itself against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

US-made F-16 fighter jets are the most sought-after item on the list of military equipment that Kiev has requested from Western countries since the start of the war in 2022.

"The F-16s are now in Ukraine. I am proud of our guys who know how to fly these planes and have already started using them for our country," Zelenskiy said. While he was speaking, two more planes flew into the sky.

"We've often heard the word 'impossible'... but now F-16s are a reality in our skies."

More planes and pilots are needed

However, the president added that "the number of F-16 aircraft we have in Ukraine and the number of pilots trained for them is not enough".

"The positive thing is that we expect additional F-16s. and that a lot of guys are now training."

US and Lithuanian officials said Ukraine had taken delivery of its first batch of F-16 multirole fighter jets.

"This is a new stage in the development of the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelenskiy said.

Western military pilots generally train for three years to learn how to fly and operate complex aircraft like the F-16. This course is condensed into approximately nine months for Ukrainian pilots training in the US and Europe.

Pilots are among the most difficult military personnel to replace or retrain, especially when it needs to be done quickly.

Further supplies

Ukraine is expected to receive at least 79 F-16s from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway. The delivery of fighter jets will continue in the coming years.

The United States will not directly supply Kiev with F-16 jets from its inventory, but President Joe Biden gave the green light for the US-made jets to be deployed by NATO allies to Ukraine.

The F-16 fighter jets of the American arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin have long been coveted by Kiev, because they have great offensive and defensive capabilities and are also a key part of the arsenal of many Western armies.

Until now Ukraine's aviation fleet consisted of old Soviet-era MiG-29 and Sukhoi fighter jets./ DW