F-16 Fighter Jets for Ukraine: Russian Concerns and Training Initiatives
The transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Russian concerns, and training initiatives by Denmark and the Netherlands
Table of Contents (Show / Hide)
According to a US official, as reported by Reuters, the United States has given approval for F-16 fighter jets to be sent to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to support Ukraine in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The transfer of the fighter jets is expected to take place once pilot training is completed.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured his Danish and Dutch counterparts, as seen in letters obtained by the news agency, that the United States will expedite the approval process for transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once the pilots are trained.
Denmark and the Netherlands had recently requested these assurances, as the US must grant approval for the transfer of military aircraft from its allies to Ukraine.
In the letter, Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed the United States' complete backing for the transfer of F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors.
He emphasized the importance of Ukraine's ability to defend itself against the ongoing Russian aggression and the violation of its sovereignty.
According to Blinken, granting approval for the requests would enable Ukraine to fully utilize its new capabilities once the initial group of pilots completes their training.
Throughout the ongoing war, Ukraine has actively pursued the acquisition of US-made F-16 fighter jets to bolster its defense against Russian air superiority. However, Russia has expressed concerns that the provision of these advanced jets will escalate the conflict.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently stated that Moscow would perceive the deployment of Western F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as a "nuclear" threat due to their potential capability to carry atomic weapons.
According to the Russian foreign ministry, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the mere presence of such systems in the Ukrainian armed forces would be perceived as a nuclear threat from the West.
In an 11-nation coalition, the Netherlands and Denmark have planned to provide training for Ukrainian pilots on operating US-made aircraft. Denmark's defense minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, previously announced that the training would commence in his country in August.
URL :
News ID : 2381
I was the next target for assassination: Argentina president
Russia says it destroyed Western weapons sent to Ukraine using Kalibr cruise missiles
Death toll hits 72 as Tropical Storm Nalgae drenches Philippines
Christmas without restrictions in Omicron-free New Zealand
FBI raids Trump's Mar-A-Lago home
Major sports events of 2022
How the FAA went to war against 5G
10 Reasons to Start business in Dubai
Myers Briggs, Personality Types
Nakba 75: Palestinian citizens of Israel are exiles in their own land
