Ukraine to hunt safe parking for F-16s overseas | Russia-Ukraine conflict Information

Kyiv expects first donated fighter jets will arrive later this yr, however plans to maintain some outdoors the nation.

Anticipating deliveries of US-made F16s from European allies, Ukraine has plans to retailer among the fighter jets at bases overseas on account of safety considerations.

A senior Ukrainian air power commander stated in feedback revealed late on Sunday that among the F-16s set to be delivered by European allies for the conflict with Russia will likely be held at international bases whereas army personnel prepare to make use of them.

“There’s a quantity that can go to Ukraine. There are a sure variety of plane that will likely be saved at safe airbases, outdoors of Ukraine, in order that they aren’t focused right here,” stated Serhii Holubtsov, head of aviation on the air power command of the armed forces of Ukraine, in an interview with the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty revealed on Sunday.

Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have dedicated to offering Ukraine with greater than 60 multipurpose fighter plane, however it may take a number of years earlier than all are delivered.

The primary of the plane are anticipated to be delivered later this yr, and Ukrainian pilots are at present present process coaching by Western allies to fly the warplanes.

The planes which might be held again will “stay in these centres the place our pilots and aviation personnel are educated”, Holubtsov continued. “This will likely be our reserve in case of want for substitute of defective planes throughout routine upkeep.”

Ukrainian pilots have been “impressed” with the plane, the official stated, noting they’ve been capable of detect drones and different plane, which may be focused with the air-to-air missiles onboard, complementing the F-16’s air-to-ground assault capabilities.

The commander stated the Ukrainian army “totally understands that will probably be troublesome to realize air superiority with one sort of plane” however that it believes it may well use the F-16s to drive away Russian plane that drop precision-guided bombs from excessive altitudes.

“If we cope with these planes, I believe the following step will likely be to hunt for canopy planes, for the Su-35. If we handle to drive them away at the very least 30-50km away, it may be thought of a turning level and an achievement, if not of superiority, then parity within the airspace.”

Russian troops have continued in current months to push inside Ukrainian-held territory, together with close to its second-largest metropolis of Kharkiv, and have additionally maintained aerial assaults, together with on vitality infrastructure.

The choice by the US and NATO allies to ship the F-16s has been a part of the Western response, which has additionally included permitting Ukraine to make use of the weapons it receives to perform assaults inside Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the F-16s can be thought of a “legit goal” and that the Kremlin will consider the truth that they’ll carry nuclear weapons.

Ukraine stated on Sunday that it had struck a Sukhoi Su-57, the latest-generation Russian fighter jet, because it sat on the bottom on the Akhtubinsk airfield, 589km (366 miles) from the entrance traces in Ukraine.