According to Ukrainian media reports on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, Ilya Yevlash, stated that Ukraine will commence the operation of F-16s over the war-torn country after Orthodox Easter on May 5. Despite the ongoing Russian bombardment and the prolonged wait for these Western-made fighter jets, the country eagerly anticipates their deployment.
Ukraine's Western supporters, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium, have committed to providing Ukraine with F-16 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin. These advanced jets are crucial for upgrading and replenishing Ukraine's air force, which has suffered significant damage from the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Russia has been exploiting its superior and larger fleet of aircraft, launching devastating aerial-guided bomb attacks on Ukraine from positions beyond the reach of Ukraine's air defenses. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the exact timeline for when Kyiv will receive the F-16s and be able to deploy them effectively against Russian forces. Delays and a lack of clarity have plagued the process.
The delays in delivering the fighter jets have harmed Ukraine. According to experts who spoke to Newsweek earlier, Russia has probably utilized the time since the F-16 donations were announced to make necessary preparations.
As per an April statement from an unidentified senior military officer in Ukraine, "The requirement for F-16s was for 2023, but they will not be suitable for 2024."
Before the commencement of flights in Ukraine, Western nations emphasized the necessity for Ukrainian personnel to complete their training programs, alongside the establishment and functioning of essential infrastructure and facilities within the country.
According to the Danish ambassador to Ukraine, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, who spoke to RBC-Ukraine on Tuesday, the matter at hand encompasses more than just the aircraft itself. He expressed his optimism and confidence, stating that he believes the arrival of the jets is imminent.
Originally scheduled for the first part of 2024, the F-16s are now expected to be delivered to Ukraine in the "second quarter" of the year, as announced by the Dutch government in January.
Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced at the end of last month that Belgium is committed to ensuring the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine by the end of 2024. The initial plan was for the jets to reach Ukraine in 2025.
"This year, Ukraine will receive more than a squadron of F-16s, along with trained pilots and maintainers provided by Ukraine's supporters," stated U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in late April.
Earlier this week, Yevlash from Ukraine expressed that Kyiv would be open to receiving non-operational F-16s, as their components could be utilized for the repair and upkeep of the existing fleet.
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