To fight the invaders, Ukraine needs modern weapons, including aircraft. Volodymyr Zelensky once again spoke about this on February 8 in front of both houses of the British Parliament.
As reported in the media, Ukraine has submitted a request to the Netherlands for the supply of F-16 fighters. This was also confirmed by the Minister of Defense of the State, Karin Gildur Ollongren.
Obstacles to the supply of F-16s
The Minister of Defense does not exclude that in the long term Ukraine will be one of the countries where F-16s will be used. Including because our state “will no longer be able to buy Russian fighters, which they did before.”
However, according to Ollongren, although the request of Ukraine is understandable, it is not easy to fulfill it. First of all, the state needs to discuss the availability of fighters with the Americans and other allies.
And we need to seriously think about the consequences, this cannot happen overnight. We have to be honest about this,” said the Secretary of Defense.
Also, before using modern fighters on the battlefield, the military of Ukraine needs to learn how to manage them. And since these aircraft are a US defense system, permission from their government is required.
Fighters for Ukraine: in short
- In addition to the Netherlands, Poland is also considering the possibility of transferring fighters to Ukraine. They said they were ready to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine, but they want other NATO member countries to make the same decision.
- The UK can also provide its aircraft to Ukraine, but it is not specified which model is in question. Interestingly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western-style aircraft
- Statements about the possibility of supplying Ukraine with F-16s have become less categorical in the United States. Although Secretary of State Anthony Blinken did not directly say that his country would supply fighter jets to Ukraine, he did say that the States would draw conclusions about what was most necessary and what could be most effective for Ukraine.
- Did not rule out the possibility transfer of modern fighter jets to Ukraine and French President Emmanuel Macron.
