The first batch of F-16 fighter aircraft from NATO allies has arrived in Ukraine, according to Bloomberg. This long-awaited move could help bolster the war-torn country’s ability to repel Russian attacks.
A deadline for the delivery of the US-made warplanes was set for late July, and it has been met, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. They said the number of planes initially delivered was small.
It is also unclear whether Ukrainian pilots, who have been training with Western allies in recent months, will be able to use the planes immediately or whether the process will take longer. Meanwhile, the press secretary of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Diana Davitian, declined to comment to Bloomberg.
Ukrainian and Western officials warned however that the aircraft were unlikely to have an immediate impact on the battlespace.
On 10 July Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that Norway planned to begin delivering F-16 fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force later this year.
In 2023, the Norwegian government made a decision to provide Ukraine with six F-16 fighter aircraft to help the country defend itself against Russian attacks.
This decision was made under the framework of the Air Force Capability Coalition (AFCC) led by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States.
The AFCC countries are contributing aircraft to Ukraine, along with efforts to ensure the provision of weapons and ammunition for the fighter aircraft. As Ukrainian pilots and support personnel continue their training, more aircraft will be supplied by the coalition partners.
The demand for weapons for the aircraft will rise in line with the increasing number of F-16s in the Ukrainian Air Force. The coordination of weapons supply, aircraft maintenance, and support will be managed through multinational cooperation. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, the UK, and Norway are all actively participating in this initiative.
