F-16 for Ukraine. Who can deliver the first aircraft to Ukraine and when?

Ukraine is preparing to receive Western F-16 fighter jets. Allies promise to deliver the first planes this summer. Meanwhile, Ukrainian pilots continue their training, which will also determine the start of combat missions in the air.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine.

Denmark may provide 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. These fighters were modernized in the 2000s under the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program: they underwent major repairs and received a more modern AN/APG-66(V)2 radar.

Within the framework of the Fighter Coalition, the Netherlands agreed to provide Ukraine with at least 24 F-16 aircraft.

The country also initiated the creation of the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) for Ukrainian pilots in Romania. Currently, the EFTC has been provided with 11 F-16s for training by the Netherlands.

The Security Assurances Agreement between Ukraine and Belgium provides for the delivery of 30 F-16s, but the full number of fighters will be delivered by 2028. The planes will be retired from the Belgian Air Force after the fifth generation F-35A fighters are delivered.

Within the framework of the aviation coalition, Norway is preparing to send 22 F-16 aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force. Among them are both modernized with the "latest" weapons and fighters for spare parts.

The United States, as the manufacturer of the F-16, has the right to approve the transfer of these aircraft to other countries. The country's leader, Joe Biden, granted such permission in the summer of 2023, which launched an aviation coalition in support of Ukraine.

As part of this coalition, the United States does not transfer its own aircraft, but since 2023 has been training Ukrainian pilots at bases in Arizona and Texas.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 19/06/2024