Ukraine has welcomed its first delivery of American-made F-16 fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the arrival of these jets at a ceremony held at an undisclosed airbase. Standing next to two of the newly arrived planes, Zelensky declared, “F-16s in Ukraine. We did it.” He thanked Ukraine’s allies for providing these jets, something they were initially hesitant to do. However, he also emphasised that many more F-16s are still needed.
A Significant Boost for Ukraine’s Air Force
The arrival of the F-16s marks a crucial moment for Ukraine’s air force. Until now, the country has relied mainly on old Soviet-era jets. The F-16s will greatly enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and carry out offensive operations. The jets can carry a wide range of weapons, including rockets, bombs, and missiles. This will allow Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian-occupied territory and potentially even targets close to the Russian border.
More F-16s Expected, but Challenges Remain
While the arrival of the F-16s is a positive development, President Zelensky noted that Ukraine still faces challenges. More F-16s are expected to arrive in the coming months, but the country does not yet have enough trained pilots to fly them all. Zelensky did not specify how many jets had arrived or whether they had all come from Denmark, the Netherlands, or the United States, the countries he specifically thanked.
NATO’s Support and the Role of the F-16s
Since August 2023, NATO countries have pledged around 65 F-16s to Ukraine. This support followed US President Joe Biden’s authorization for willing European allies to send the jets. The F-16, first introduced in 1978, has been a staple of many Western air forces. However, many countries are now replacing the aging fighters with the more advanced F-35, introduced in 2015. Despite their age, the F-16s remain capable and are expected to play a key role in Ukraine’s defense.
The Strategic Importance of F-16s
The F-16s will work alongside Western-supplied surface-to-air missile systems like Patriot and Nasams, which are already in Ukraine. These jets will provide much-needed air support to Ukrainian ground forces, especially in regions like Donbas, where they have faced relentless Russian attacks. The F-16s could also help defend against Russian glide bombs, which have been a significant threat. In March alone, Russia dropped around 3,000 of these bombs, mostly from Su-34 fighter-bombers.
Risks and Potential Impact
There are risks associated with the deployment of F-16s in Ukraine. If Ukraine cannot protect these jets on the ground, they could be vulnerable to Russian attacks. Kyiv has considered keeping some of the F-16s at foreign military bases, but this idea has met with a stern warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stated that any Western base storing Ukrainian jets would be a legitimate military target for Russia.
Despite these risks, the hope is that the USA’s F-16s will help push back Russian aircraft to a point where they can no longer target Ukrainian ground forces with glide bombs. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has vowed that US– made F-16s flying for Ukraine will be “shot down.” However, he also claimed that these deliveries would not significantly impact the situation on the front lines.
Way Forward
The arrival of the first F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine is a significant milestone in the country’s defense efforts. While challenges remain, these jets represent a substantial boost to Ukraine’s air force. With continued support from NATO allies, Ukraine hopes that the F-16s will play a critical role in defending the country and pushing back against Russian aggression.