White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the F-16 fighter jets, which are planned to be transferred to Ukraine, will be located at Ukrainian air bases. He was somewhat mistaken, as Ukraine currently lacks air bases and factories for full maintenance of these aircraft.
In an interview with “24 Kanal”, the retired colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, pilot-instructor and military expert Roman Svitan stated that Sullivan’s words were not entirely accurate. He emphasized that aircraft from European partners will be serviced at European bases.
“Our pilots will perform combat missions at Ukrainian airfields, which will probably be used in operational mode. However, when the time comes for scheduled repairs, the aircraft will be transferred to the European base, and at the same time, the second aircraft will be picked up, which has already undergone this repair and the flight crew will return to Ukraine on it.” – said the colonel.
Svitan also noted that regular repairs require certified specialists, and such work should be performed on specialized bases.
The transfer of the F-16 has been talked about for a long time, but the planes are still not in Ukraine.
The Office of the President of Ukraine explained that the transfer of F-16 aircraft is delayed due to bureaucratic difficulties and the existence of a pro-Russian lobby in some countries that are trying to slow down this process. F-16 fighter jets are expected to gradually enter service, and their presence in sufficient numbers could change the situation on the front. The first F-16 deliveries are scheduled for the summer of 2024, and Ukrainian pilots are already undergoing appropriate training in Europe.
