NYT WORLD: The Latest Flash Point Among Ukraine’s Allies Is Whether to Send F-16s
By Lara Jakes and Eric Schmitt
Section: World
Source: New York Times
Published Date: May 17, 2023 at 03:00AM
Several European allies are prepared to give their F-16s to Ukraine. But the Biden administration, which must approve any transfers of the American-made planes, remains unconvinced that Ukraine needs the expensive jets, which are a staple of many modern military arsenals.
So deep is Washington’s skepticism that Kyiv’s pilots are currently not even allowed to train on the F-16s that are owned by European states, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity to frankly discuss the sensitive diplomatic issue.
American reluctance to allow training would severely limit a proposed new European coalition to help Ukraine obtain and fly F-16s — whether in the current conflict or to protect against any future aggressions by Moscow after the West turns its focus from the 15-month war.
By Lara Jakes and Eric Schmitt
Section: World
Source: New York Times
Published Date: May 17, 2023 at 03:00AM
The United States is resisting a European push for the powerful fighters. But will it relent, as it did before with tanks, rocket launchers and air defense missiles?
A fresh push by Britain and the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter planes has exposed the latest fault line among Western allies who have wrangled repeatedly over sending powerful weapons of war, once again pitting a reluctant United States against some of its closest European partners.Several European allies are prepared to give their F-16s to Ukraine. But the Biden administration, which must approve any transfers of the American-made planes, remains unconvinced that Ukraine needs the expensive jets, which are a staple of many modern military arsenals.
So deep is Washington’s skepticism that Kyiv’s pilots are currently not even allowed to train on the F-16s that are owned by European states, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity to frankly discuss the sensitive diplomatic issue.
American reluctance to allow training would severely limit a proposed new European coalition to help Ukraine obtain and fly F-16s — whether in the current conflict or to protect against any future aggressions by Moscow after the West turns its focus from the 15-month war.
Read More at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/world/europe/ukraine-f-16-biden-netherlands-britain.html
UK Foreign Secretary urges on US to provide F-16s to Ukraine . British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has urged the US to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters to enhance its air defense capabilities during a recent visit to Washington. This is due to the current state of the war, where artillery shells will play a key part in Ukraine’s upcoming counter-offensive, and Russia is developing new glide bombs weighing 2,205 pounds that can be launched from its fighters. Despite more than 4,000 fighter-bombers being available to Western and NATO powers, the US has so far denied the export of F-16s to Ukraine, despite repeated requests from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Ukrainian Forces Strike A Russian Port With A Direct Hit!
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