Ukraine receives 1st batch of F-16 fighter jets, a long-sought war asset

The first batch of long-awaited F-16 jets person arrived successful Ukraine, Lithuania’s overseas curate and a U.S. charismatic said connected Wednesday, an effort Kyiv has said will thief rebuild its depleted aerial force.

F-16s, built by Lockheed Martin, person been connected Ukraine’s wish database for a agelong clip because of their destructive powerfulness and world availability. The combatant pitchy is equipped pinch a 20mm cannon and tin transportation bombs, rockets and missiles.

“F-16s successful Ukraine. Another intolerable point turned retired to beryllium wholly possible,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter.

A U.S. official, speaking connected nan information of anonymity, said nan transportation had been complete.

Ukraine’s Air Force did not instantly respond to Reuters petition for comment.

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Denmark has committed to donate 19 jets successful total, while nan Netherlands has promised to present 24 aircraft. Both countries person been driving forces down an world conjugation to proviso Ukraine pinch F-16s. Norway has besides said that it would donate six F-16 combatant jets to Ukraine.

The pilots and crushed unit person been trained by Ukraine’s Western partners for months.

The Ukrainian subject has had to trust connected a comparatively mini fleet of Soviet-era jets arsenic it has fought to clasp backmost Russia’s full-scale February 2022 invasion. Ukrainian officials spot nan summation of nan F-16 arsenic a captious upgrade for its Air Force.

Analysts and officials opportunity nan F-16s will not unsocial beryllium a turning constituent successful nan war, which began pinch Russia’s full-scale penetration successful February 2022.