The United States has greenlighted sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to help Kyiv fight Russia’s invasion, officials have said.
US-made F-16 fighter jets.PAP/EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO
Washington gave Denmark and the Netherlands official confirmation it would swiftly approve their requests for the F-16 to be sent to Ukraine as soon as the pilots are trained, the Reuters news agency reported on Thursday night.
Any transfer of the US-made aircraft requires America’s approval, The Economist magazine noted.
America’s top diplomat added: “It remains critical that Ukraine is able to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty.”
Blinken said the green light from the United States would enable Ukraine to take „full advantage of its new capabilities as soon as the first set of pilots complete their training,” as cited by the Reuters news agency.
In May, US President Joe Biden told his Group of Seven (G7) counterparts at the bloc’s summit in Hiroshima, Japan, that the United States would allow allies to provide American-made F-16 and other advanced fighter jets to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion, and would also train Ukrainian pilots to use the aircraft.
UK signs USD 115m air defence deals for Ukraine
Meanwhile, Britain has signed USD 115 million worth of contracts with arms makers to supply Ukraine with air defence systems, the Euromaidan Press website reported on Friday.
The largest of the three contracts is a USD 71 million deal with Norway’s Kongsberg for vehicle-mounted counter-drone systems, including the Cortex Typhon systems, according to British broadcaster Sky News.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Source: PAP, Reuters, The Economist, The Guardian, Euromaidan Press, Sky News