Ukraine may store some of the Western F-16 fighters, which he is expected to receive within a few weeks, abroad for more security.
This was stated by the military expert Oleksandr Musienko to the UNIAN agency. “From the point of view of ensuring the safety of these aircraft, of course, this is appropriate. "I think one of the ways to ensure the safety of our aviation is to store some aircraft abroad," he pointed out.
According to Musienko, the F-16 fighter jets, which NATO promised to Kiev, will have an effect on the battlefield, but will not generally change the situation, especially at the beginning. The reason is that Ukraine will receive a small number of fighters. It is said that by the end of 2024 only 12-14 will be transferred to Ukraine.
„The effectiveness of aircraft also depends on the number and type of missiles that can be used. The advantage of the F-16 is that it is capable of carrying a significant number of different types of missiles, including air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles, Musienko said.
Russia is already actively preparing for the arrival of these planes, he pointed out. In recent weeks, the Russian aggressor has struck Ukrainian Air Force bases believed to house F-16 fighter jets.
F-16 fighter jets are currently traveling from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced yesterday at an event on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. Blinken, who announced the news at NATO's Public Forum, said these US-made warplanes will fly in Ukrainian skies as early as this summer. At the NATO summit, a very large aid package for Ukraine will be presented, which will build a clear and solid bridge to its accession to the alliance, he made it clear.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is also in Washington, expressed expectation that decisions will be made on the delivery of more F-16 fighter jets to his country. According to him, Ukraine needs 128 F-16 fighters, because 50 is “nothing”.