Ukraine is closer to having F-16s, but don't expect them to suddenly start 'taking down' Russia's formidable air defenses, top US general says

Fri, 08/18/2023 - 13:15

Romanian Air Force F-16 jetfighters take part in the NATO exercise as part of the NATO Air Policing mission, in Alliance members' sovereign airspace on July 4, 2023. — Romanian F-16s on a NATO Air Policing mission on July 4.
Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

Dutch officials say the US has finally authorized the delivery of American-made F-16s to Ukraine.
F-16s will be more capable than Kyiv's jets, but they aren't silver bullets, a top US general said.
The jets will be better suited for the Western-made weapons that Ukraine is already using, however.

The US has signed off on plans to transfer F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine after Ukrainian pilots complete their training on the jet, paving the way for F-16s to arrive as soon as early next year.