According to senior U.S. officials, President Joe Biden informed G7 leaders on Friday that Washington supports joint alliance training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter planes, a crucial endorsement as Kyiv strives to bolster its air force against Russia.
Training on the US-made planes would take place in Europe and will take months to complete. Officials in the United States have calculated that the most expedient period for training and delivery of F-16s is 18 months.
“As training takes place over the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when to actually provide jets, how many we will provide, and who will provide them,” the diplomat added.
Although the official did not specify which nations will be involved, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that the UK would collaborate with the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark “to provide Ukraine with the combat air capability it requires.”
Welcome announcement that the US will approve the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) May 19, 2023
The UK will work together with the USA and the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark to get Ukraine the combat air capability it needs.
We stand united. https://t.co/36d8ffu6aa pic.twitter.com/9Us6mAieR3
Denmark’s military minister stated that it is willing to assist with the training. The US intends to begin training on fourth-generation fighters, including F-16s, in the coming weeks, according to the official.
Positive with support to training of Ukranian F16 pilots. Denmark has been working for this together with close Allies. Denmark is ready to support this. We will with close Allies work on the details with priority. https://t.co/RUREBv2knh
— Forsvarsministeriet/Danish MoD (@Forsvarsmin) May 19, 2023
Ukraine is looking for the Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) planes as it makes its strongest push in months against invading Russian soldiers ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
Ukraine, which lacks Western-designed planes, claims the F-16s are significantly more effective than the Soviet-era fighters it still employs. Ukraine has received 27 MiG-29s from Poland and Slovakia.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy got assurances this week from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to assist establish a “jets coalition,” though neither country’s leaders said they would deploy planes.
Zelenskiy hailed the news on Friday. “This will significantly strengthen our aerial army.” “I expect to discuss the practical implementation of this decision at the #G7 summit in Hiroshima,” he tweeted. /Reuters
I welcome the historic decision of the United States and @POTUS to support an international fighter jet coalition. This will greatly enhance our army in the sky. I count on discussing the practical implementation of this decision at the #G7 summit in Hiroshima.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 19, 2023
Check also: G7 Hiroshima Summit: Who will be there, and what will be discussed?