First batch of F-16 fighters reportedly handed over to Ukraine

The Ukrainian Air Force has received its first F-16 fighter jets, a long-awaited addition to its military arsenal. The delivery marks a significant milestone in Ukraine’s defense capabilities. 

On July 10, 2024, during a NATO summit in Washington, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the first F-16s would be handed over to Ukraine within “a few days”. 

This promise has seemingly been fulfilled. Bloomberg first reported the aircraft’s arrival, which was later confirmed by the Associated Press. Citing a source close to the matter, The Times said that the Netherlands had supplied six jets to Ukraine. 

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis confirmed the information on X. 

So far, neither the Ukrainian government nor its Western allies have confirmed the delivery of the first tranche of fighters. 

Bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses 

The delivery is part of a broader initiative led by the Netherlands and Denmark, which are spearheading an international coalition to supply Ukraine with US-designed fighter jets. Kyiv has long requested modern Western aircraft to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022. 

Denmark and the Netherlands have each pledged to provide 19 and 24 fighter aircraft, respectively. Norway has also committed to offering 22 F-16 Block 10/15 airframes, while Belgium has pledged to deliver 30 F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv. 

The US will equip at least a dozen F-16 fighter jets with modern missiles and other advanced weaponry before transferring them to Ukraine. These F-16 fighters will be capable of deploying a wide range of bombs and missiles, making them suitable for various mission profiles in Ukraine. 

However, the success of these missions will depend on the training received by the pilots. Initially, the role of the fighters may be limited to defending Kyiv and other large Ukrainian cities from Russia’s cruise missiles, such as the Kalibr and the Kh-22, as well as the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drones. 

The storage and safe operation of the F-16 fighters is also being challenged, with the Russian Air Force intensifying bombing raids on Ukrainian air bases. In an interview with RFE/RL, Ukrainian Air Force Chief of Aviation, General Serhiy Holubtsov, explained that some fighters will remain abroad. 

“There are a certain number of aircraft that will be stored at secure air bases, outside of Ukraine, so that they are not targeted here,” Holubtsov said. “And this will be our reserve in case of need for replacement of faulty planes during routine maintenance.” 

The Ukrainian Air Force also deploys decoy aircraft at its bases to divert fire away from its actual aircraft and help deplete Russian missiles.