The first batch of F-16 fighters could arrive in Ukraine from Western partners within a week or so, i.e. by the end of 2023, according to American analysts.
Ukraine will soon receive the first batch of F-16
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, confirmed on 22 December during a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Dutch government would prepare the first 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine.
American analysts point out that although the head of the Dutch government did not name a timeframe for when the aircraft could be transferred to Ukraine, the Estonian strategic document referred to the period until the end of this year.
Although Rutte did not confirm the timing of the F-16 deliveries, a recent strategic document by the Estonian Ministry of Defence states that the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium have already committed to delivering F-16s to Ukraine "by the end of the year, ISW analysts conclude.
What is known about the F-16 for Ukraine
Earlier, Ukraine's allies announced the creation of an aviation coalition to provide the country with modern fighter jets, including F-16s. The coalition was led by the Netherlands and Denmark.
In the autumn, Politico wrote that Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s in the United States, and on 25 October they began flying F-16s. Prior to that, they were trained on simulators, flight simulators that fully recreated the cockpit.
On 22 December, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Dutch government had decided to prepare the first 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine. In turn, during the talks, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Dutch government for the decision to provide these aircraft.
