Ukraine expects to receive six F-16s this summer, with up to 20 this year

Ukraine expects to receive six F-16 aircraft from its Western partners this summer, with up to 20 aircraft in total by the end of the year. Bloomberg reported this, citing its own sources.

Issues with spare parts and the language barrier between Ukrainian pilots and their foreign instructors are currently complicating the process of sending military aircraft to Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.

People involved in the issue are also concerned that Ukraine lacks runways and that those that do exist are vulnerable to Russian attacks.

According to one of the interlocutors, Ukraine will probably be able to deploy a squadron of F-16s, 15 to 24 aircraft. Another source said Kyiv expects to receive six F-16s this summer and up to 20 by the end of the year.

Challenges to F-16s transfer to Ukraine

The challenges to the F-16s have been so severe that they have raised doubts about the feasibility of sending the fighter jets to Ukraine and whether it is a very expensive show of support for President Volodymyr Zelensky, the agency claimed.

According to a senior NATO official who spoke to Bloomberg, planners for the F-16 delivery are facing three main issues, Bloomberg reported.

First, the planes must be reconfigured depending on their missions, such as reconnaissance or combat. Second, Ukraine does not have the long, high-quality runways needed for the F-16s or the shelters to protect them from Russian attacks. Third, the logistics of supporting the aircraft are complex, from the need for spare parts to maintenance and finding engineers. 

Another NATO representative noted that Ukraine is trying to accomplish in a few months what usually takes three to four years.

In an emailed response to questions, a representative for Lockheed Martin, the F-16’s manufacturer, stated that “we continue to support the U.S. government’s response to the conflict in Ukraine,” but they did not elaborate on the handling of maintenance or spare parts for the aircraft.

Transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is underway

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s top national security adviser, said on Thursday that the transfer of the F-16 fighter jets was already underway.

On July 10, the leaders of the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands, Joe Biden, Mette Frederiksen, and Dick Schoof, who head the so-called Fighter Coalition, stated that Ukraine would receive the first F-16s during the summer.

The transfer process for these F-16s is now underway, and Ukraine will be flying operational F-16s this summer. (…) We are committed to further enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth generation F-16 multi-role aircraft. (…) We will continue to coordinate jointly in support of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.

Joint Statement from U.S. President Joe Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

The Netherlands announced in early July that it would soon start delivering the first of 24 promised F-16s to Ukraine.

How will F-16 jets protect Ukraine?

Russia is increasingly using guided bombs against Ukrainian border towns. The planes do not fly close to the border and bomb civilians from a safe distance with impunity. 

Ukrainian Armed Forces will only have a way to counter such tactics once they receive F-16 universal combat aircraft from the West. 

Although they will not be a panacea for all Russian air attacks, they can close many gaps in the defence of Ukrainian skies. Ukraine insists that the main guarantee of safe skies is modern Western aircraft. The F-16 provision is a quick and effective solution.

The range of tasks that F-16 jets will perform in Ukraine is also quite wide. First, it will strengthen Ukraine’s air defence, as the F16 is an ideal hunter for Russian combat drones.

Secondly, the long-range missiles used on F-16s will help the Ukrainian Army to destroy Russian equipment and logistics. The war is far from over, and in the coming months, the renewed Ukrainian Air Force may surprise the Russians, ending their superiority in the air.