Ukraine is unlikely to receive Western F-16 fighters by the end of 2023, since this requires trained personnel and prepared infrastructure.
This opinion was expressed by the representative of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Yuriy Ignat on Radio Liberty.
Ignat recalled the recent conversation between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, in which the head of the Dutch government said that the first batch of F-16s could arrive in Ukraine before the end of this year. A representative of the command of the Armed Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces emphasized that the main word in this statement is the word “can”, since Ukrainian pilots and personnel are not yet ready to use them.
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— What is the point of delivering planes here so that they stand at gunpoint at the enemy? We must wait until everything is 100% ready, — Ignat explained.
He explained that we are talking about preparing the infrastructure, pilots and engineers who are currently undergoing training. Without this, says Ignat, the completion of the F-16 transfer will not be complete.
A representative of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces says that the aviation engineering staff will not only maintain fighters, but also pay attention to weapons.
According to Ignat, planes will be given to Ukraine so that they can fight, and not just stand there.
Recall that Vladimir Zelensky’s conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte took place on December 22, in which, in particular, it was reported on the preparation of the first 18 F-16 fighters for delivery to Ukraine.
Previously, it was expected that these Western aircraft will arrive in Ukraine in the spring of 2024.
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