The Pentagon has announced that the U.S. military will help Ukraine learn how to operate F-16 fighter jets.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on Thursday that Ukraine is training to use F-16s in air combat. But defense officials have warned that catching up with Ukraine in aircraft technology won’t be the “magic” that will solve the war.
“There are no magic weapons,” said General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He added, “Russia has 1,000 fourth and fifth generation fighters, so if it is going to fight Russia in the air, it needs a significant amount of fourth and fifth generation fighters. will be,” he added.
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Two F-16 fighter jets take part in a NATO air defense exercise near Rusk Air Force Base in Poland. (Ladslow Joswiak/AFP via Getty Images)
Austin told reporters that Ukrainian military personnel need to learn not just how to use planes, but how to maintain them and how to maintain supplies of ammunition and supplies.
Austin said the U.S. military has already received support for the project from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Poland.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin issued a statement to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters near Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)
“We hope more countries will join us in this important effort,” Austin said.
The defense secretary went on to say that the effort “is an important example of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security.”
The Pentagon’s comments mark the culmination of that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky The so-called “Fighter Coalition” — an effort to gather resources from allied nations to increase its air force capabilities.
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British Prime Minister Rishi Snak (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speak to reporters after a meeting at Chekars, the prime minister’s residence in Aylesbury, UK. (Office of the President of Ukraine/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Mr Zelensky traveled to Britain earlier this month to negotiate further military aid with the country’s leaders.Meeting with Mr. Zelensky British Prime Minister Rishi Snack At the official residence of the leader, Checkers.
The British government said it would not provide combat aircraft, but promised to help train Ukrainian pilots.
”[Ukrainians] “We need the continued support of the international community to protect ourselves from the barrage of relentless and indiscriminate attacks that has been a daily reality for more than a year,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and President Biden shake hands at an unannounced Mariinsky Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. (Evan Vucci/Pool via Reuters)
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President Biden had a meaningful meeting last week, as did Mr. Zelensky.
President Biden Japanese G7 leaders said the United States would help train Ukrainian pilots for the latest high-tech aircraft, the newest member of a loosely defined “coalition.”
“We welcome the historic decision of the United States and the President to support the International Fighter Alliance,” Zelensky said on social media.
