Send F-16s to Ukraine, urge Pentagon officials

Opinion shifts on aircraft delivery as reports suggest Kyiv has a list of pilots who are ready for training

MILITARY officials within the Pentagon are calling for the US to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help defend against Russian missile and drone attacks, it has been reported.

Kyiv hopes to secure Western fighter jets after last week hearing it will be sent tanks. While the debate over whether to send the aircraft will be even more contentious and may take weeks or months, support is growing.

“I don’t think we are opposed,” a senior defence department official said.

Ukraine has identified a list of experienced, English-speaking pilots who could be trained on the F-16 in as little as three months, according to Politico.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a key adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said on Saturday that the country was engaged in “fast-track” talks with its allies about the possibility of getting warplanes and long-range weapons like ATACMS ballistic missiles.

Mr Podolyak said that while some of Ukraine’s partners maintain a “conservative” attitude to arms deliveries, “we must show them the real picture of this war... and how this will reduce security threats to the European continent”.

Earlier, Jon Finer, the deputy White House national security adviser, said the US would be discussing the fighter jets “very carefully” with Kyiv and its allies. “We have not ruled in or out any specific systems,” he said. Half a dozen Western military officials and diplomats confirmed that an internal debate about supplying jets is under way, with particular support from the Baltic states. Conversations are believed to be in the very early stages, however, and fears of escalation remain.

The F-16 is a mainstay in air forces worldwide and in service with the militaries of nine Nato countries, including Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Last week, Ukraine secured Us-made Abrams and German-made Leopard tanks following months of bickering among allies. It made clear that modern planes would be its next priority. “The next big hurdle will now be the fighter jets,” said defence adviser Yuriy Sak.

“If we get them, the advantages on the battlefield will be just immense. It’s not just F-16s. Fourth-generation aircraft, this is what we want.”

Ukraine’s air force has a fleet of ageing Soviet-era fighter jets, mainly used for intercept missions and to attack Russian positions. Russia is using much more advanced fighters, including Su-30s and 35s. The UK Ministry of Defence said that Russia had “almost certainly” employed the Su-57 Felon – its most advanced fifth-generation supersonic combat jet – although it was probably avoiding flying them directly over Ukrainian territory due to the reputational and intelligence risk of losing one.

Ukraine’s air force has managed to prevent Russia from dominating the skies. But with its supply of missiles dwindling, officials are concerned about how long it can keep it up.

Modern fighter jets could help particularly in shooting down incoming missiles and drones.