Ukraine may get high-tech American F-16 fighter jets to use against Russia after an announcement by President Joe Biden in Japan on May 19.
The U.S. will help train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter aircraft, including F-16s, Biden told allied nations in a closed-door meeting at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. It’s a possible signal that Washington is closer to arming Ukraine with the planes.
Ukrainian officials have pleaded for advanced weaponry, including the sophisticated F-16, since Russia invaded last year.
While the U.S. has provided Patriot missiles and will send Abrams tanks, it has hesitated to allow shipments of F-16s to Ukraine, fearing they could be used to hit targets inside Russia. That would increase tension with Moscow and possibly shift the conflict into NATO territory.
Ukraine has said the F-16s are “four or five times” better than its Soviet-made jets. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured Biden personally that the jets won’t be used to attack Russian territory, Biden said Sunday.
No details have been given on jet deployments, including when, how many or which countries will provide them. The jets will, however, support an aging fleet of Soviet-era jets, most of them more than 30 years old.
How the jets compare:
US F-16 fighter jet
Design of the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 began in the early 1970s. The “Fighting Falcon” designation was given in 1980. The F-16 Viper is the latest iteration of the aircraft.
F-16s were used in the Persian Gulf War and in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 3,000 are operating now in 25 countries, according to Lockheed Martin. The aircraft is expected to remain in U.S. service for six to eight years.
Ukrainian Su-27
The Su-27 was designed starting in 1969 as an interceptor jet for Russian defense. The prototype was launched in 1977, and the jet entered service in 1981. It is still widely used in various iterations.
Ukrainian MiG-29
The MiG-29 was designed in response to the F-16 and first flew in 1977. The jet is used for air combat and ground attacks.
When will F-16s arrive in Ukraine?
Ukraine is expected to mount a counteroffensive against Russian troops this spring. Zelenskyy, at the Group of Seven summit, said Ukraine expects to receive “high-quality weapons” from all G7 nations, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada.
Biden said it is “highly unlikely” the F-16s would be used in the counteroffensive. He said they could be used later if the war continues.
U.S. officials said decisions on when, how many and who will supply the F-16s will be made in the months ahead while Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly the jet.
Details on training have not been disclosed. U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss decisions not yet made public, The Associated Press reported.
What other weapons are being sent to Ukraine?
Patriot missiles: The U.S. agreed in October to send the surface-to-air missile to Ukraine. The missiles began arriving in April.
Abrams tanks: The U.S. agreed in January to send the tanks to Ukraine. The tanks are scheduled to arrive in the fall.
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SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Associated Press; U.S. Air Force; Lockheed Martin; military-today.com
