Ukraine Air Force preparing infrastructure for F-16 transfer with no concrete timeline at this stage
It is not yet possible to talk about the specific timing of the transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine by foreign partners, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, said during a national telethon program on Feb. 19.
There is an action plan for the fighters, which is not only about the transfer, but also about further maintenance of the aircraft, their modernization, and financing of the process. The countries that transfer the aircraft also contribute to pilot training, Ihnat said.
When asked about Ukraine's infrastructure and its readiness to maintain F-16s, the Air Force spokesman stated that this is not an easy concept.
"Or build reinforced concrete shelters that would withstand ballistic missiles," Ihnat said.
“You can see the craters that form after ballistic missiles. This is where the planes really need to be protected. Firstly, passively, because we have storage facilities. Secondly, the infrastructure must be protected by air defense systems against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.”
Read also: Kyiv to receive ‘substantial’ number of air defense missiles, as allied F-16s wait in the wings
Ukrainian infrastructure is already being adapted to this type of aircraft, which will allow the Ukrainian military to perform tasks from Ukrainian runways and stay at Ukrainian airfields.
"Therefore, we will not talk about the timing," said the spokesman.
Foreign Policy, citing European officials, earlier reported that the first F-16 fighter jets would appear in Ukraine around June 2024.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba previously said that Ukraine could receive these fighters in the first half of 2024.
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