"The Ukrainians must not only fly F-16s but also deploy them effectively. Armament is crucial," defense minister Ruben Brekelmans said.Simultaneously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands are already en route to Ukraine. Norway has also pledged six F-16s for 2024 delivery, as announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The Netherlands, leading the Air Force Capability Coalition with Denmark and the US, is providing 18 F-16s for a training center in Romania and transferring 24 jets directly to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated Ukraine needs 128 Western fighters to achieve air parity with Russia. Read more:
- Blinken: F-16s en route to Ukraine
- “Even 50 is nothing” – Zelenskyy says Ukraine needs 128 F-16 jets
- Denmark to stop training Ukrainian F-16 pilots after 2024
- US “deliberately” delaying training for Ukraine’s F-16 pilots, Kyiv claims