F-16 transfers to Ukraine are underway, White House says
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An F-16 jet landing at the U.S. military airfield at Spangdahlem, Germany, in February 2023. Photo: Harald Tittel/picture alliance via Getty Images
U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets are on their way to Ukraine and could aid in Kyiv's defense against Russia as soon as this summer, the White House said Wednesday.
Why it matters: The jets will bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities, allowing its air force to thwart Russian air attacks, as well as seek and destroy drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian cities.
- The jets may also allow Ukraine's air force to establish localized air superiority to support its ground forces during offensive operations, the Center for Strategic and International Studies notes.
Zoom in: The White House said the transfers will eventually include "squadrons" of modern fourth generation F-16 multi-role aircraft.
- Denmark and the Netherlands will donate the jets, the White House said. Belgium and Norway will provide additional jets, as well.
- "We are unable to provide additional details at this time due to operational security concerns," it said.
Norway will donate at least six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine over the course of 2024, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also announced Wednesday.
- Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Belgium will deliver 30 F-16s to Ukraine, but its use of the jets will be restricted to only above Ukrainian territory, according to the Wall Street Journal.
What they're saying: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the U.S., Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium in a statement after the transfers were announced.
- "I am confident that they will assist us in better protecting Ukrainians from brutal Russian attacks, such as this week's strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv," he said.
- "F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced the transfers during an interview at the NATO forum on Wednesday, saying the jets "will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression."
State of play: The jets will help Ukraine fight Russian forces and maintain air presence, but they likely will not rapidly change the current stalemated conditions of the invasion.
- The F-16s also represent a step toward Kyiv's desired integration into U.S. and European economic and defensive organizations like NATO.
The big picture: The long-sought transfers come over a year after Ukraine asked it allies for advanced fighter jets, particularly F-16s.
- A coalition of governments led by the Netherlands and Denmark began training Ukrainian pilots, technicians and support personnel on F-16s in late 2023.
- The first group of Ukrainian pilots completed training at a military base in Arizona in May 2024.
Editor's note: This story was updated with additional details and reaction.
