West may deliver F-16 fighters to Ukraine next year

US media quoted Western officials as saying that Ukraine could receive F-16 fighters next year, but the country of delivery is not yet clear.

The issue of training Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets is expected to be among the topics of discussion at a meeting of NATO leaders in Lithuania next month, Politico reported on June 23.

Some Western officials said the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine could begin in early 2024, but it was unclear when and which country would donate the fighter jets.

The Netherlands and Denmark, the two countries leading the effort to train Ukrainian pilots, are the most likely to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but no deal has been finalized, according to a US official.

Western countries are considering Romania as a possible location to train Ukrainian pilots and could start the program this summer. Romania operates 17 F-16 fighters acquired from Portugal and is in talks to buy 32 from Norway.

US F-16 fighter jets operating in the Middle East on May 1. Photo: USAF — US F-16 fighter jets operating in the Middle East on May 1. Photo: *USAF*

"The allies are negotiating how to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but not all of NATO," the Politico article said. "The US, UK, France and Germany will essentially provide economic and military aid to Ukraine and maintain that effort after the conflict between the Eastern European country and Russia ends."

One of the problems exposed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that “the Western defence industry is not as robust as many people think”. NATO leaders are expected to sign off on plans to increase military equipment production at the bloc’s summit in Lithuania next month.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said last week that the effort "will better link industrial capabilities to our defence planning, while also creating more joint procurement conditions that help meet NATO capability goals and support allies in implementing NATO standards".

Ukrainian officials have been asking the West for months for advanced fighter jets, especially the US-made F-16. However, many Western officials and experts say that Ukraine’s infrastructure is not in a position to operate the F-16, nor is the aircraft likely to provide a significant advantage or significantly change the course of the war.

President Joe Biden said in May that the United States supports a joint training program with several countries to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets. However, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said US officials have not made a final decision on whether to provide F-16 aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on June 16 that F-16s would burn out in Ukraine like the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Mr. Putin also warned that Ukraine risks dragging NATO into conflict if it deploys fighter jets in the territories of neighboring alliance member countries.