US joins ‘fighter jet coalition’: when to expect F-16s in Ukraine

The United States of America has confirmed its participation in the international ‘fighter jet coalition’ and will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. The White House will also allow European Union countries to supply Ukraine with jet planes, National Security Advisor of the U.S. Jake Sullivan said. 

“So, as the training unfolds in the coming months, we will work with our allies to determine when planes will be delivered, who will be delivering them, and how many,” the White House advisor stated. Sullivan added that Biden has yet to decide whether the US will transfer its F-16s to Ukraine. 

A condition for Washington’s support was Zelenskyy’s promise not to use F-16 fighter jets on Russian territory. However, “wherever Russian troops are within Ukraine in the area, they [the Armed Forces of Ukraine] would be able to do that,” U.S. President Joe Biden said. This includes the territory of Russian-occupied Crimea. 

Allies will supply jet aircraft in units. Initially, Ukraine will be able to receive several dozen Western planes, according to Ukraine’s Air Force of Ukraine spokesman Yurii Ihnat. Meanwhile, “Ukrainian pilots are looking forward to starting their training on F-16”, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the creation of a ‘fighter jet coalition’ during his visit to London in May. This is an informal organization to join the efforts of Ukraine’s partners in transferring F-16 fighter jets. In addition to the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, Portugal, Belgium, and Denmark are among the participants.