Ukraine has received its first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Sunday, declaring that more are needed to defeat Russian forces. For over two years, Ukraine has persistently requested these aircraft from Western partners, which were long regarded as a central piece in the extensive list of military equipment Kyiv sought. “We often heard the word ‘impossible’. Now it is a reality. Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine. We made it happen,” Zelensky said, as some flew above him during the announcement. Zelensky was standing in front of what appeared to be two grey, partially-covered F-16s bearing the Ukrainian trident, in a location reporters were instructed not to disclose for security reasons. “I am proud of all our guys who are mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country,” he said. He refrained from disclosing the number of jets delivered and declined to comment on their specific tasks, but AFP journalists observed at least two F-16s on the scene. The announcement is likely to be met with widespread approval and comes as Kyiv’s forces are grappling to hold back Russian troops’ advances in recent weeks. Kyiv harbors hope that the arrival of the fighter jets, renowned for their precision, speed, and range, will enable it to better defend itself against Russian bombardments.
Zelensky, however, immediately issued a warning that more F-16s are necessary. “Our partners know that the number of F-16s we have in Ukraine, the number of pilots who have already been trained, is not enough,” he said. “The good news is that we are expecting additional F-16s,” he added. Several NATO countries have pledged to supply varying numbers of the fighter jets and have been training Ukrainian pilots and crews for months. “Our guys are training a lot,” Zelensky said, expressing gratitude to Denmark, the Netherlands, the US, and other allies.
In recent months, amidst a Russian air campaign, President Volodymyr Zelensky has prioritized Ukraine’s need for enhanced air defenses in his meetings with allies. During an interview with AFP in May, Zelensky stated that Ukraine required around 130 F-16s to achieve parity with Russian air power. However, Ukraine’s partners have committed to sending less than 100 F-16s to date, with most likely to arrive over the course of several years after extensive pilot training. Recent strikes on Ukrainian airfields have also raised concerns about Kyiv’s capability to safeguard the multi-million-dollar planes from Russian raids. In early July, Russia claimed to have destroyed five military jets during a barrage on an air base in central Ukraine. Following the bombing, Ukrainian military correspondents criticized the air force’s top brass, stating that planes at the airfield were parked in the open without adequate protection. Ukraine’s air force has long relied on a fleet of aging Soviet-era MIG-29 and Sukhoi jets, which have become increasingly strained after more than two years of demanding combat missions.
