Growing List Of Countries ‘Ready’ To Join F-16s For Ukraine Program

Norway and Poland are the most recent amongst an increasing record of NATO international locations who say they’re prepared to start coaching Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, after US President Joe Biden introduced approval to permit the Europeans to supply Western fighters ultimately week’s Group of Seven summit in Japan. It marked a reversal of coverage after months of inner administration debate.

EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned this week that coaching has already begun in a number of international locations, and Polish Protection Minister Mariusz Blaszczak followed by saying Warsaw stands “prepared”. 

“We’re prepared. The Polish facet is able to practice pilots on F-16 plane. Such coaching has not but begun,” Blaszczak mentioned in line with AFP.

Dutch Protection Minister Kajsa Ollongren has made related feedback, naming a rising record of nations poised to hitch the coaching efforts: 

“It’s a co-effort with Denmark, Belgium, UK, and different allies, so a coordinated effort. However we’ll velocity up now that we all know that we’ve got the inexperienced gentle,” Ollongren mentioned.

And whereas Norway has but to resolve whether or not it’s going to present any of its personal F-16s to Ukraine, its Protection Minister Bjoern Arild Gram introduced Wednesday it too will help the coaching program.

“The federal government backs this initiative and is contemplating how Norway can contribute along with allies and companions,” Gram said.

The Norwegian authorities has not determined whether or not Norway will give any of its F-16 jets to Ukraine, the minister individually instructed public broadcaster NRK.

Russia has in the meantime warned of the “colossal dangers” that this transfer may deliver Moscow and the West into direct battle. Nevertheless, it may take over a 12 months or two for the F-16 jets to truly develop into operational inside Ukraine. Western leaders, together with Biden, have disregarded the Kremlins warnings.

U.S. President Biden whereas on the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan was requested what his Response was to Russia who said yesterday if F-16 Multirole Fighter Plane are offered to Ukraine will probably be a “Colossal Danger to the West” with Biden stating, “It’s for them”. pic.twitter.com/sKjJnN2d9g

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 21, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has mentioned Wednesday that his nation will ‘win’ the battle with Western fighter jets. He mentioned in his nightly video handle: “The very first Ukrainian F-16 can be one of many strongest alerts from the world that Russia will solely lose due to its aggression. It is going to be weaker and additional remoted.”

“The primary factor is the velocity in coaching and in provide – that means the time between choices in actual safety for our skies,” he added. However once more, it is prone to be a very long time earlier than Kiev truly will get its first F-16, and loads may occur earlier than then.