Ukraine may receive first F-16s in June - Foreign Policy

The first American-made F-16 fighters will appear in Ukraine in June 2024. At the same time, 12 trained pilots to fly these aircraft are expected to arrive in the country by the end of the US fiscal year, which is usually September.

These plans of Western partners, announced on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, were reported by Foreign Policy. It is noted that the information about combat aircraft for Kyiv was provided to journalists by European officials.

"I think we will see them in Ukraine in June," Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said, referring to a time frame confirmed by another European official present in Munich, the article says.

As a reminder, after the 19th meeting of the contact group on Ukraine's defense in the Ramstein format, the head of the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, predicted that Western F-16 fighters would appear in Ukraine in the spring. He emphasized that this issue has already been resolved.

According to the chief Ukrainian intelligence officer, during the meeting with partners, issues related to the technical component, as well as the transfer process, infrastructure readiness and maintenance of these aircraft were addressed.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said that Ukraine will receive at least twenty-four F-16 fighter jets. The coalition led by his country is trying to deliver them as soon as possible.

- Yuriy Ignat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said that the occupiers were nervous about a photo of an F-16 with Ukrainian insignia that was posted online. At the same time, he added that after arriving in Ukraine, F-16 fighters will become a desirable target for the occupiers.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!