LMT - Netherlands Denmark confirm plans to deliver F-16s to Ukraine after U.S. nod

2023-08-21 06:40:00 ET

The Netherlands and Denmark have confirmed that they will deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after visiting both countries, days after the U.S. approved the transfer of the aircraft to Kyiv.

Zelenskyy, who hailed the agreement as "historic", said the Netherlands would deliver 42 F-16s . The Netherlands currently has 24 operational F-16s, scheduled to be phased out by mid-2024, while 18 are not operational. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not specify how many jets would be delivered to Kyiv.

Denmark, which agreed to deliver 19 F-16s , will make the deliveries "gradually" while it transitions to the newer F-35 jets. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said six could be delivered around New Year, eight more next year, and the remaining in 2025.

It remains unclear when the first F-16s may enter the fight, but officials said Ukrainian pilots would need at least six months of training on the aircraft.

Ukraine has repeatedly called on allies to provide F-16s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin ( NYSE: LMT ), to give it a combat edge in its efforts to drive Russian troops from its territory.

Even so, Air Force General James Hecker has said this may not be a game-changer for Ukraine as getting F-16 squadrons ready for battle could take 4-5 years.

But Ukrainian forces welcomed the news, as Russia has had a clear advantage in the skies so far. "A modern war cannot be won without aviation capabilities," said Captain Yevgen Rakita, a spokesman for the 18th Army Aviation Brigade.

More on Russia-Ukraine war:

• U.S. permits Netherlands, Denmark to send F-16s to Ukraine
• Nukes on the table as Ukraine warns that war is returning to Russia
• U.S. said to plan $1.3B military aid package for Ukraine
• U.S. to provide cluster bombs to Ukraine in new military aid package
• U.S. said to consider sending long-range missiles to Ukraine
• Russia's invasion of Ukraine drives record in global defense spending: SIPRI

For further details see: