The United States will equip F-16 fighters delivered to Ukraine with modern weapons, including air-to-air missiles, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing a senior American official.
It is noted that Denmark and the Netherlands are preparing to send the first American F-16s to Ukraine this summer, and aircraft from Belgium and Norway will arrive later. But the source of the critical weapons for the aircraft remains unclear.
"Although the Pentagon has limited stockpiles and production capabilities, it will provide the F-16 with air-to-ground munitions, precision-guided bomb kits and advanced air-to-air missiles in sufficient quantities to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs," the publication writes, citing information from a source.
As Major General Rolf Woland, commander of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, stated, the aircraft itself is useless without weapons.
The US armament for the F-16 reportedly includes AGM-88 HARM air-to-ground missiles; extended-range versions of Joint Direct Attack Munition Kits, which turn unguided bombs into smart weapons; and so-called small-diameter bombs. In addition, the United States will send advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, known as AMRAAMs, and short-range AIM-9X air-to-air missiles for the aircraft.
In Europe, many countries are reluctant to send large quantities of their limited stockpiles of air-launched munitions to Kiev, the U.S. official said. And then Western allies came up with what the Pentagon called a "kick start": European countries could pool their finances to buy the right weapons from the United States to send to Ukraine.
With the most modern weapons! F-16 fighters fly to Ukraine
Although the Pentagon has limited supplies and production capabilities, it will provide F-16s with air-to-ground ammunition, precision bomb guidance kits and advanced air-to-air missiles in sufficient quantities
Jul 30, 2024 18:11 200
