Delivery delay of several months
Kiev has to wait longer for F-16 jets
January 6, 2024, 2:04 p.m
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The first Danish F-16s are actually scheduled to be deployed in Ukraine at the beginning of the year. But now Copenhagen has to row back. It is said that not all conditions have been met yet. The British secret services point out how important fighter pilots are in the war-torn country.
The delivery of the first Danish F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine has been delayed by up to six months. It is now expected that the six machines cannot be sent to the country attacked by Russia until the second quarter, the Defense Ministry in Copenhagen told the Berlingske newspaper. When the plans were announced in the summer, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed the hope that the fighter jets could be delivered around the turn of the year.
However, some conditions for the use of the F-16 have not yet been met, as the Ministry of Defense has now said. This involves, for example, the training of Ukrainian pilots. The schedule depends on factors such as the material and weather conditions. Six Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained in Denmark. Experts point out that pilot training is only one part that must be successful for a successful operation. Mechanics and other ground staff would also need to be trained. It is also about logistics chains for ammunition and spare parts as well as the physical conditions on the airfields.
Denmark was the only member of the so-called F-16 coalition of countries that had promised Ukraine the jets to name a date for the handover. Prime Minister Frederiksen announced a total of 19 machines. The Netherlands wants to deliver 18 jets, but has not yet given a timetable. There are also commitments from Belgium and Norway, but no information on quantities yet. The international coalition continues to work to ensure that the necessary logistics and infrastructure are built in Ukraine, emphasized the Danish Ministry of Defense.
London: Russia weakened after jets shot down
The most recent losses on the Russian side show how important fighter jets are in the war that has been going on since February 2022. According to Britain’s assessment, Ukraine was able to weaken Russia’s attack potential in southern Ukraine by shooting down three Russian jets. This had a particular impact on Russian attacks on a Ukrainian position on the southeast bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, which is otherwise controlled by Moscow, the British Ministry of Defense said, citing intelligence findings.
The British believe it is realistic that the lack of air support could have contributed to the failure of an 18th Army offensive against the so-called bridgehead. In recent days, Russia has increased its tactical air strikes around the position again, although to a lesser extent than before the three shoots down on December 22nd.