A Ukrainian senior commander revealed that Ukraine intends to station a portion of its F-16 fleet, donated by Western countries, outside its borders. This move aims to protect these advanced fighter aircraft from Russian airstrikes.
Serhiy Glubtsov, head of Aviation for the Ukraine Air Force Command, disclosed that specific F-16s would be stored in secure airbases outside Ukraine to prevent them from being targeted.
To bolster its aging and limited fleet in the face of superior Russian aircraft, countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium have pledged to provide Ukraine with F-16s.
Although Ukraine has long requested Lockheed Martin jets, the delivery timelines set by donor countries have been uncertain, leading to delays. The awaited jets are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
Ukrainian pilots are undergoing training in NATO member countries while infrastructure in Kyiv is being developed to support the operation of these jets.
Golubtsov stated that some donated jets will be used for pilot training and will remain at the training centers for this purpose. The rest will be stationed outside Ukraine as part of a reserve fleet, ready to substitute operational aircraft undergoing maintenance.
Regarding the potential threat, Golubtsov emphasized the importance of keeping a training and reserve fleet outside Ukraine, as it is a prudent and necessary measure.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, calculates that Ukraine would require around 120 to 130 F-16s for effective air defense against Russia, but the number of jets received so far falls short of this target.
To address the evolving dynamics in fighter aircraft technology, Ukraine is seeking assurances for modern fighter jets, considering the phase-out of F-16s in favor of newer models like the F-35.
Golubtsov noted that there are ample options available in the global market for acquiring additional aircraft to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
Keep an eye out for updates on this developing situation!