It will be at least “several months” before Ukraine can operate American F-16 fighters.
The transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine could take several months. This is what US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said, CNN reports.
He said it will take at least “several months” before Ukraine can operate the F-16. Some details also need to be worked out before the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine can use Western aircraft in large numbers.
“Under no circumstances will we transfer F-16s or other Western fighters in significant numbers to the hands of the Ukrainian Air Force in less than a few months,” Kendal said.
However, the Secretary of the Air Force, speaking to journalists from the Defense Writers Group, noted that this is still a relatively short time, since it usually takes more than two years to teach a new American pilot how to operate such aircraft. Even the refresher course for an F-16 pilot who hasn’t flown in a while can take up to five months.
It is worth noting that the US has been publicly arguing for months that fighter jets are not high on its priority list and that the funds available to help Ukraine will quickly run out in exchange for more important weapons such as Abrams tanks and Patriot missiles.
Kendall called the sudden reversal of the administration of US President Joe Biden a decision that it is time to start preparing the Ukrainian military for the future.
“Ukraine will remain an independent state. It will need a full range of military capabilities to meet its demands,” he said, adding that it was time to start thinking about what the Armed Forces could look like. Forces and what they will involve in the long term. term.
Remember, on the eve of the State Department it was said that the United States considers it a priority to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters and it will begin to be implemented in cooperation with allies and partners in the coming months.
US President Joe Biden approved plans to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. It is known that Ukrainian pilots have already started training on these aircraft.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.