© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Netherlands’ Air Power F-16 fighter jets fly throughout a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies’ airspace within the northern and northeastern area of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Picture
By Steve Holland and Idrees Ali
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The US has permitted sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend in opposition to Russian invaders as quickly as pilot coaching is accomplished, a U.S. official stated on Thursday.
Ukraine has actively sought the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to assist it counter Russian air superiority.
Washington gave Denmark and the Netherlands official assurances that the USA will expedite approval of switch requests for F-16s to go to Ukraine when the pilots are educated, the official stated.
Denmark and the Netherlands had not too long ago requested for these assurances. The U.S. should approve the switch of the army jets from its allies to Ukraine.
A coalition of 11 nations was resulting from begin coaching Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16 fighter jets this month in Denmark. Denmark’s appearing Protection Minister Troels Poulsen stated in July that the nation hoped to see “outcomes” from the coaching in early 2024.
NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands have been main worldwide efforts to coach pilots in addition to help employees, preserve plane and finally allow Ukraine to acquire F-16s to be used in its battle with Russia.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken despatched letters to his Danish and Dutch counterparts assuring them that the requests can be permitted, the U.S. official stated.
“I’m writing to specific the USA’ full help for each the switch of F-16 fighter plane to Ukraine and for the coaching of Ukrainian pilots by certified F-16 instructors,” Blinken stated in a letter to the 2 officers, a duplicate of which was seen by Reuters.
Blinken stated, “It stays important that Ukraine is ready to defend itself in opposition to ongoing Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty.”
He stated the approval of the requests would enable Ukraine to take “full benefit of its new capabilities as quickly as the primary set of pilots full their coaching.”
U.S. President Joe Biden endorsed coaching applications for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in Might. Along with coaching in Denmark, a coaching heart was to be arrange in Romania.
Kyiv won’t be able to function U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets this coming autumn and winter, Ukraine air pressure spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat instructed Ukrainian tv late on Wednesday.
U.S. officers have privately stated that F-16 jets would have been of little assist to Ukraine in its present counteroffensive and won’t be a recreation changer once they ultimately arrive given Russian air protection methods and contested skies over Ukraine.
The F-16 is made by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:).
