Hiroshima, Japan — A senior Biden administration official announced on Friday that the United States and its allies are planning to bolster Ukraine’s security by providing F-16 fighter jets. Although it is uncertain when Ukraine will receive these aircraft and which countries will be involved in their provision, the official emphasized that the jets would not be utilized in Ukraine’s forthcoming counteroffensive against Russia. President Joe Biden shared during the Group of Seven summit in Japan that the United States would support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.
The senior administration official highlighted that discussions concerning the enhancement of the Ukrainian air force underscore the long-term commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had persistently urged the U.S. to supply F-16s, despite Biden’s previous refusals. In February, Biden had stated that U.S. military advice indicated Ukraine did not require F-16s at that time. However, officials from France and Poland had expressed willingness to provide Ukraine with these advanced fighter jets, subject to permission from the U.S. government.
The decision to furnish Ukraine with F-16s coincided with the G-7 summit, where Biden informed allies of the plans. The joint training effort involving the U.S. and its allies to instruct Ukrainian pilots on the jets is expected to commence in the following weeks. This training will occur at sites in Europe and is projected to take several months to complete.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking in Japan, emphasized that the provision of F-16s was part of the commitment to Ukraine’s self-defense. He stated that discussions would take place in the coming months with allies to determine the specifics of the jet delivery, including the number of planes to be sent.
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko criticized the decision, characterizing it as an escalation scenario that poses risks to Western countries. Meanwhile, Colin Kahl, the Pentagon’s top policy official, indicated during a congressional hearing that training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s could take approximately 18 months. However, other U.S. defense officials suggested that the training period could be shortened to six to nine months based on the pilots’ existing training and knowledge of fighter aircraft.
Kahl further estimated that revitalizing Ukraine’s military with F-16 jets could cost up to $11 billion. The G-7 leaders have not yet announced who will bear the financial burden of providing Ukraine with these planes. In March, it was reported that two Ukrainian pilots were undergoing assessment in the U.S. to determine the training duration required for them to operate attack aircraft, including F-16s. Additionally, Washington had granted approval to bring up to 10 more Ukrainian pilots to the U.S. for further evaluation.
In conclusion, the decision to supply F-16s to Ukraine represents a strategic effort by the United States and its allies to enhance Ukraine’s security and bolster its self-defense capabilities. While the timing and countries involved in the provision of these fighter jets remain unclear, discussions are ongoing to determine the details. The joint training initiative to instruct Ukrainian pilots on F-16s is expected to commence in the coming weeks and will take place in Europe over several months. The move has drawn criticism from Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, who views it as an escalation scenario. The cost of revitalizing Ukraine’s military with F-16s could reach up to $11 billion, although the financial responsibility has yet to be determined. Overall, this development underscores the long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense and represents a significant step in strengthening its military capabilities.
