NATO Allies Have Begun Transfer Of F-16 Jets To Ukraine, Says US

Denmark and the Netherlands are in the process of transferring American-made F-16s to Ukraine, with Belgium and Norway committing to provide further aircraft. 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over Afghanistan.

Source : US Air Force

The NATO allies on Wednesday said that they have begun transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a long-awaited step to boost Kyiv's defenses against Russia in Ukraine War.

According to a White House statement, Denmark and the Netherlands are in the process of transferring American-made F-16s to Ukraine, with Belgium and Norway committing to provide further aircraft. 

"As we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the NATO summit in Washington, according to AFP.

Ukraine has been urging the US and NATO allies for advanced Western aircraft for a long time. Last year, US President Joe Biden had given the green light to transfer American-made F-16s to the country, despite earlier concerns about the training to use the advanced jets.

"The transfer process for these F-16s is now underway, and Ukraine will be flying operational F-16s this summer," the White House statement said.

 

"We are committed to further enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth generation F-16 multi-role aircraft," it added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who also is in Washington, for the summit, urged his allies to provide Kyiv with more financial and military support to stave off Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy said he is grateful to the United States and allies for taking practical steps to to strengthen the Ukrainian air force with F-16s.

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.

I am grateful to Belgium and Norway for their commitment to providing us with their F-16 jets.…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 10, 2024

"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," the Ukrainian President said.

"I anticipate that our air force capability coalition will be strengthened even further through the joining of new participants. F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time," he added.

Meanwhile, US President said, "When this senseless war began, Ukraine was a free and independent country. Today, it is still a free and independent country. And this war will end with Ukraine remaining a free and independent country."