The Netherlands and Denmark have finally agreed to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking the latest move by Western allies to combat Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had been seeking advanced jets for months to strengthen Ukraine’s Soviet-era air force amid retaliatory attacks by Russian forces in the east.
Washington announced the F-16 transfer agreement on Friday, with Ukrainian pilot training set to commence this month, enabling Ukraine to start deploying the jets in early 2024.
“It’s truly historic, powerful, and inspiring for us,” said Zelensky alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a visit to the Eindhoven airbase in the Netherlands on Sunday, August 20, 2023, as quoted by AFP.
Rutte stated that the number of F-16s to be given to Kyiv had not been determined yet, but Zelensky stated in a subsequent announcement that “Our soldiers will receive 42 excellent fighter planes.”
Zelensky then traveled to the Skrydstrup airbase in Denmark and was welcomed by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
“We also know that you need more, and that’s why today we’re announcing that we’ll be donating 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine,” Frederiksen announced.
Six jets will be delivered later this year, eight next year, and five in 2025, she said.
“This is very strong support for us, and the training mission has already begun,” Zelensky said.
“We’re doing our best to achieve more results for Ukraine,” he added. “Specifically, today we discussed the expansion of the training mission.”
In a separate statement, Zelensky thanked the United States, which has strict rules regarding the sale or transfer of American military equipment by its allies.
“I also thank President Joseph Biden, both parties in the U.S. Congress, and the entire American people for their unwavering support and ongoing positive steps for the flight coalition and for our common freedom interests,” he said.
