President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Denmark for its support in an address to the country’s Parliament on Monday, a day after it became one of the first nations to pledge F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
The Netherlands and Denmark said Sunday that they would donate dozens of F-16s to Ukraine in what Mr. Zelensky called a “breakthrough” in his country’s longstanding quest to acquire the aircraft, which it considers imperative in the war against Russia.
“When you defend people’s right to life, you are joined by others who value life,” Mr. Zelensky said Monday during the address in Copenhagen. “And this makes you together invincible! I thank you, Denmark, for helping Ukraine to become invincible!”
The procurement of American-made F-16s to supplement a fleet of Soviet-era jets has been a priority for Mr. Zelensky’s government for months as it seeks an advantage over Russia’s air force and to improve its own air defenses. Ukrainian officials acknowledged last week, however, that NATO countries would not donate the planes before next year, which is too late for use in a counteroffensive the government in Kyiv launched this summer.
Speedster202 on August 21st, 2023 at 13:48 UTC »
It will be important to watch what weapons NATO gives Ukraine to use with its F-16s. Ukraine will likely need significant quantities of JASSM, AIM-120, etc in order for the jets to have a meaningful impact.
Given changing political winds in the US, who would be the main supplier, Ukraine may be limited in its ability to conduct attacks against Russia if they only receive a limited quantity of munitions.
There is also the question of who will maintain these aircraft. It’s not uncommon for NATO to use contractors to perform maintenance, upgrades, etc. Would contractors be willing to go into a war zone to maintain these jets? Would NATO be willing to risk sending people in to do it?
DetlefKroeze on August 21st, 2023 at 12:40 UTC »
Fighter jets are definitely a long term project.
Anders Puck Nielsen just did a video on the topic.
https://youtu.be/IcvcWwYgFLE
Admirable_Custard608 on August 21st, 2023 at 11:16 UTC »
It was only a matter of time until Ukraine got the F-16 fighter jets it wanted.
Denmark and the Netherlands pledge F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking a breakthrough in Ukraine's efforts to strengthen its air defenses against Russia.
The acquisition of American-made F-16s has been a priority for Ukraine to improve its air force and counter Russia's military strength.
NATO countries, including the United States, will train (are training) Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, offering critical support for Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
Ukraine also seeks Swedish Gripen warplanes and armored vehicles.
It remains to be seen what is the benefit of having fighter jets for Ukraine given they will only be coming next year. But the impression is that Europe and the US want to prepare Ukraine not just for a long war, but for the long game of becoming NATO’s outpost near the new iron curtain – now running from Kaliningrad to Rostov. Think Italy during the cold war.