The Netherlands and Denmark undertake to transfer F-16 multirole fighters to Ukraine. This was announced by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte.
He noted that Ukrainian pilots are now undergoing language training, military training on the F-16 will begin soon.
— Regarding timing — now there is language training and in the future, when military training begins, it will move to Romania. This will be done very quickly, as soon as possible in order to transfer the planes to Ukraine. In the meantime, we need to work on infrastructure so that these planes can take off and land safely in Ukraine, — he said during a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Rutte stressed that for the supply of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine “it is very important to train pilots, as well as to meet the infrastructure conditions” .
— The F-16 will not be able to immediately help the military effort, but it will be part of the Ukrainian defense system. We want them to complete their military training as soon as possible. We want them to be put into service as soon as possible, that is, not next month, this is impossible, but soon, — said the head of the Dutch government.
President Volodymyr Zelensky did not say how many pilots there are in Ukraine, because he wants “for Russia it would be a surprise”.
< p>— In any case, we have a political decision, we know how many aircraft we can use in the future. Aircraft infrastructure should also be prepared. Now our military will work on it, and I think we will get these answers soon, — he noted.
Earlier, Zelensky announced that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 42 F-16 fighter jets.
