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.
It’s not that simple. Ukraine is constantly targeted by cruise missile attacks - and while Russia is burning through their supply, these jets would be a priority target to track and destroy. A lot of pieces have to come together to make these jets deliverable and be useful, rather than just missile bait.
Training should go hand in hand with delivering, otherwise that’s just wasting Ukraine’s resources.
They don’t plan to deliver until after the pilots and other crew are trained.
It’s not that simple. Ukraine is constantly targeted by cruise missile attacks - and while Russia is burning through their supply, these jets would be a priority target to track and destroy. A lot of pieces have to come together to make these jets deliverable and be useful, rather than just missile bait.