Copenhagen:
The Netherlands and Denmark have led a push to coach Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s and ship the fighter jets to Ukraine to assist counter Russia’s air superiority.
Listed here are some info concerning the alliance of Western nations that can provide plane and coaching:
HOW MANY F16S WILL UKRAINE GET?
Denmark will ship 19 jets in complete with the preliminary six due across the finish of the 12 months, adopted by eight in 2024 and 5 in 2025, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated on Aug 20.
The Netherlands has 42 F-16s out there however has but to resolve whether or not all of them will likely be donated.
WHEN WILL TRAINING START?
Denmark this month started coaching eight Ukrainian pilots in flying the jets, the Danish armed forces stated.
The eight pilots arrived on the Danish army air base in Skrydstrup together with 65 personnel who will likely be skilled in sustaining and servicing the jets.
Greece will even participate within the coaching, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated.
Officers from a coalition of 11 nations have stated F-16 coaching will even happen in Romania.
WHAT WILL F-16S DO FOR UKRAINE’S WAR EFFORT?
Zelenskiy known as the donation a “breakthrough settlement” and stated the planes would strengthen Ukraine’s air defences and assist its counter-offensive in opposition to Russian forces.
U.S. officers have privately stated F-16s would have been of little assist to Ukraine in its present push and won’t be a recreation changer after they ultimately arrive given Russian air protection techniques and contested skies over Ukraine.
Poland and Slovakia have provided 27 MiG-29s to complement Ukraine’s fleet of fight plane.
HOW SOON COULD UKRAINE START USING THE F-16?
A Ukranian air pressure spokesman has stated he didn’t anticipate Ukraine to have the ability to function F-16 jets this coming winter.
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has stated six months of coaching was thought of the minimal for pilots, but it surely was not but recognized how lengthy it will take to coach engineers and mechanics.
The coaching programme ought to depart Ukrainian pilots and repair personnel ready to make use of F-16s in fight by early subsequent 12 months, NATO leaders stated in July.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
Designed within the Seventies and produced within the Eighties by Common Dynamics, now part of Lockheed Martin, the F-16 jets that Ukraine will obtain are round 40-years-old.
Whereas the weapons techniques and devices have been up to date, the air frames are topic to heavy upkeep wants, stated Esben Salling Larsen, a army analyst on the Royal Defence School.
“The Ukrainians should use plenty of their time on upkeep of the jets,” Salling Larsen stated.
One other problem is the time strain on the coaching of the pilots, engineers and mechanics.
The F-16s are U.S.-made whereas Ukraine’s present jets are Russian, creating the problem of a language barrier for mechanics and engineers.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
F-16s have been on Ukraine’s want checklist for a very long time due to their damaging energy and international availability. The plane is provided with a 20mm cannon and might carry bombs, rockets and missiles.
Many NATO allies have F-16s, making it simpler to seek out spare elements in contrast with the Russian planes at present utilized by Ukraine.
Denmark and different nations have additionally began to make use of different jets such because the F-35s on order by Denmark, boosting the provision of spare elements from retired planes.
WHAT IS RUSSIA SAYING?
Russia warned that supplying jets to Ukraine would escalate the conflict.
“The truth that Denmark has now determined to donate 19 F-16 plane to Ukraine results in an escalation of the battle,” Russian ambassador Vladimir Barbin stated.
WHO ELSE MIGHT DONATE JETS?
Norway is contemplating whether or not to donate F-16s however has not stated what number of.
Portugal, Romania and Belgium all have F-16s like these donated by Denmark and the Netherlands making them appropriate for a donation as Ukrainians are being skilled for these jets.
Ukraine final week started discussing with Sweden the potential for receiving Swedish-made Gripen jets.
In June, Sweden stated it will give Ukrainian pilots the chance to check its Saab-made Gripen fighter, but it surely has additionally stated it wants all its planes to defend Swedish territory.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)