As Ukraine continues to request F-16 fighter support from the United States, it is known that President Joe Biden has approved a plan to train Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighter jets.
On the 19th (local time), the British Guardian quoted a senior US administration official as saying, “President Biden informed the leaders of the seven major countries (G7) summit held in Hiroshima, Japan of this decision.”
Attention is focusing on whether this decision will lead to F-16 support for Ukraine, which has been requesting support for fighter jets in addition to weapons such as main tanks and shells.
“As[pilot]training progresses over the next few months, the coalition of nations (the West, including the US) will actually decide when to deliver fighter jets (F-16s), how many to deliver, and who will deliver them,” said an anonymous senior official. revealed
“The training will take place in Europe outside of Ukraine and will take several months to complete,” he added.
Previously, CNN reported, citing a knowledgeable source, that “the Biden administration has signaled in recent weeks that it will allow the re-export of F-16 fighter jets to its European allies.”
However, officials in the Biden administration said that allies did not officially request approval for re-export, and officials from the US State Department are known to have not been instructed to do this.
In the meantime, Ukraine has been appealing for the need for the latest fighter jets from the West.
On the other hand, the United States has still been reluctant to directly support F-16 fighters in the United States. But if allies decide to re-export domestic warplanes, they are prepared to approve it, US officials told CNN.
The United Kingdom and Denmark, which are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also welcomed the US move and hinted at joining in support.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the US decision on Twitter, saying, “The UK will work with the US, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark to ensure Ukraine has the combat air capabilities it needs. We are united.”
Denmark also announced on the same day that it would conduct F-16 fighter pilot training for Ukrainian pilots.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen expressed his willingness to cooperate with the allies, saying, “Now we can move forward to make a common contribution to training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.