The United States has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend against Russian invaders as soon as pilot training is completed, a U.S. official said on Thursday (August 17). The move is a sharp reversal for the Biden administration, which had refused to approve the transfers or conduct the training for more than a year due to worries that it would escalate tensions with Russia.
The two NATO nations are leading an 11-nation coalition to help Ukraine, which argues the fighter planes will give it a boost in its nearly 18-month war with Russia, which has encroached on Ukrainian territory. The U.S. decision restores momentum to the process, but it will take time before Ukraine can deploy the new planes.
In a letter seen by Reuters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave Danish Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Dutch Defence Minister Tom de Kermabon official assurances that the United States will expedite approval of transfer requests for the fighter jets to go to Ukraine once their pilots are trained. The countries were asking for assurances to show their support for Ukraine, which is struggling to counter a massive military invasion by Russia.
According to a former NATO commander and F-16 trainer, training is expected to be intense but short. Retired General Philip M. Breedlove, who led NATO air forces for the bulk of his career and flew the F-16s, has said it’s not unreasonable to expect Ukrainian pilots to become combat-ready within a year. The F-16 has more sophisticated technology than the Soviet-era planes that make up Ukraine’s fleet, requiring a steep learning curve for its pilots.
The Pentagon is expected to send an adviser to help the Polish and Dutch military train Ukraine’s pilots. Those advisors can draw on their experience as NATO partners in training pilots for the type of fighter aircraft that Ukraine needs. A senior defense official says the United States will also assist with setting up rear bases and runways for Ukraine, which could be complicated given the location of several Russian bases in Poland.
Besides the technical challenges, there is a cost issue. Just 10 of the advanced fighter jets cost about $2 billion combined with the maintenance costs. To help alleviate that, the nations are planning to provide them plan to set up a fund so others can chip in to help pay for it.
Despite Russia’s massive aggression, Ukraine has been a staunch ally of the West, and its leaders have pleaded for the F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russia’s air superiority. Providing the jets will likely not impact the ongoing conflict any time soon. Still, it does show a significant shift in U.S. policy that will have implications for the future of Europe and its relationship with the United States.
