In an unexpected change of stance, President Joe Biden has recently confirmed to the G7 leaders that the US is committed to a joint initiative to enhance Ukrainian airpower capabilities. This will include training Ukrainian pilots to operate fourth-generation aircraft, notably F-16s.
Interestingly, this change in policy comes after the president previously expressed doubts about the need for Ukraine to possess F-16s. The shift was finalized following intensive dialogues at the G7 summit held in Hiroshima, Japan. A main point of discussion was the supply of F-16s to Ukraine, strongly advocated by the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. His emphasis was on strengthening Ukraine's defense against persistent Russian aerial assaults.
Although the training is not anticipated to be conducted on US soil, American personnel are set to be heavily involved, working in concert with their European allies. The training is projected to span several months and is hoped to commence in the forthcoming weeks.
While the training unfolds, the coalition involved will determine the timing of jet provision, the quantity to be offered, and the countries that will supply them. As per an unnamed official, the intention is not just to provide Ukraine with immediate requirements but to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the nation's self-defense.
The US and allies agree to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine - Related Article -
Earlier this year, the US began assessing the readiness of Ukrainian pilots to handle US military aircraft. This included hosting two Ukrainian pilots at a military base in Tucson, Arizona, to evaluate their proficiency using flight simulators, with a focus on F-16s. To support such initiatives, funds were allocated in the 2023 budget.
Recent weeks have seen the US indicate to its European allies that it would not obstruct their plans to export F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. This move comes amid growing pressure from congressional members and allies to enable Ukraine to procure these aircraft to counteract increasing Russian aerial offensives.
Countries such as the Netherlands, which have a stock of US-made F-16s, have shown a willingness to transfer some of these to Ukraine. Yet, due to the sensitive US technology involved, American approval is required for such a transfer.
Finally, it's worth noting that the UK and the Netherlands are looking to establish an "international coalition" to not only secure these jets for Ukraine but also to train Ukrainian pilots to operate fourth-generation fighters. These aircraft offer advanced capabilities compared to Ukraine's current fleet.
