Kyiv urgently seeks F-16 jets and missiles from international allies for territorial liberation – top commander
Kyiv expects its international partners to provide F-16 jets along with 300-500 kilometers range missiles, which will allow the defense forces to liberate the territory seized by Russia, the Ukrainian Joint Forces reported on Feb. 5, citing the Armed Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Serhiy Nayev.
Nayev also described the crucial role of various weapons on the battlefield. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine was helped by foreign anti-tank missile systems NLAW, JAVELIN and portable air defense systems STINGER, STARSTREAK, PIORUN. These weapons allowed us to disrupt the enemy’s logistics and destroy Russian airborne troops in the air.
Since the summer of 2022, HIMARS and MLRS have forced the Russian army to move its field depots and control points more than 100 kilometers from the front.
Medium-range SAMs - NASAMS, IRIS-T, and GEPARD systems - increased the effectiveness of air defense by up to 75-80% and played a decisive role in defending against attacks on the power grid. The destruction rate of enemy air targets sometimes reaches 100% thanks to PATRIOT air defense systems, which are effective against Russian Iskander and Kinzhal ballistic missiles, according to Nayev.
Read also: Ukrainian Air Force states that F-16s for Ukraine are ready and preparations are ongoing
Ukrainian Sea Baby and FPV (First-Person View) drones, have contributed to partial security in the Black Sea and the destruction of Russian equipment and personnel. These samples of Ukrainian weapons “will be included in the textbooks of military art,” Nayev said.
Ukraine’s partners are ready to provide the country with F-16 fighter jets, but Ukraine still needs time to finish preparations, Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television on Jan. 25.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that his country, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark had agreed to participate in training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets on May 19.
On July 6, Romanian officials said that they were opening a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which would be available to its allies and partners, including Ukraine.
Read also: F-16 Coalition working to increase the number of F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine
The United States has authorized Denmark and the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. This was confirmed when the Netherlands and Denmark announced that they would provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 aircrafts - 42 and 19, respectively, on Aug. 20.
On Jan. 5, the Pentagon reported that Ukrainian F-16 pilots will be ready to undertake missions in 2024.
On Jan. 10, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian pilots are still being trained on F-16 fighters in different programs worldwide.
On Jan. 18, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, stated that the first successful operations with F-16 aircraft are expected to be conducted by Ukraine later this year. The preparation is proceeding as planned.
Read also: Ukrainian pilots now flying F-16s with Instructors — Ukrainian Air Force
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