F-16 Deliveries to Ukraine Will Assist in Long-Term Perspectives: Pentagon

U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson Pat Ryder has stated that the training and any potential transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine are intended to meet the country's mid- to long-term defense needs, rather than for short-term use.

“F-16s for Ukraine are a long-term commitment to Ukraine,” Ryder said, adding that the aircraft will not be involved in combat anytime soon. He also confirmed that the United States will participate in the training of Ukrainian pilots outside of European countries, “but (...) when that training begins, how the aircraft will be delivered, which countries will provide them, we are continuing to work with our international partners on these issues.”

He mentioned that training could start within the next few weeks or months. The Pentagon spokesperson noted that at the last meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in April, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “received several requests from countries that require U.S. permission to train Ukrainian pilots.” Following that, the issue was discussed in the U.S. National Security Council.

“There was unanimous agreement that this should be done, and that we need support,” Ryder concluded. However, neither the number of F-16s nor their delivery timelines or the countries that will provide them have been disclosed.

The Pentagon has reported that Austin had a phone conversation with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov ahead of the virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group scheduled for May 25. The meeting will focus primarily on maintaining the maneuvering capability of Ukrainian armoured vehicles and strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, according to the statement.