Ukraine lists number of F-16 fighters needed to counter Russia

Ukraine's Defense Ministry believes the country needs 48 US-made F-16 fighters to repel Russian forces on the battlefield.

"Four F-16 squadrons with a total of 48 aircraft are exactly what we need to repel the enemy from our territory," the Ukrainian Defense Ministry posted on Twitter on May 26.

US F-16 fighter jets deployed to Poland in 2016. Photo: USAF — US F-16 fighter jets deployed to Poland in 2016. Photo: *USAF*

The statement came a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Denmark and the Netherlands had "decided to take the lead" in developing a plan to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets, with several other countries also pledging support.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said countries could transfer 10 F-16 fighters to Ukraine and that the effort would cost about $2 billion. "It would cost a billion dollars to buy these fighters, and another billion dollars to keep them flying," he said.

Asked whether Congress would provide funding for Ukraine to receive F-16s, Secretary Austin said "this is an international effort." Milley and other US military leaders, meanwhile, have insisted that modern fighter jets are not the key to changing the course of the conflict in Ukraine. "There is no such thing as a miracle weapon, the F-16 or any other weapon," he said.

The F-16 multi-role fighter jet, developed by General Dynamics since the 1970s, is used by the US and a number of its allies. Each F-16 costs around $30-35 million depending on the variant, but customers can pay more or less depending on the number of orders, economic and political conditions, and other factors.

President Joe Biden pledged to support allies and partners in training pilots and transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a White House official said on May 20. The coalition of countries participating in the effort "will decide when to deliver the fighter jets, how many, and who will provide them."

The decision is considered particularly important, as allies need Washington's approval to re-export US-made weapons and military equipment to third countries.

Vu Anh (According to Ukrainska Pravda )

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