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The Netherlands and Denmark have confirmed plans to supply Kyiv with greater than 40 multipurpose F-16 fighter jets, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned after visiting each nations.
However the first transfers of the American-made jets for which Kyiv has lengthy pleaded is more likely to contain a prolonged pilot coaching course of, which means they won’t arrive in time to assist Ukraine throughout a tough summer counteroffensive that has solely delivered reasonable features because it started in June.
The introduced transfers, approved by Washington on Friday, marks the primary time Ukraine’s western allies will present Nato-grade plane to Kyiv. Slovakia and Poland have given Ukraine their fleets of Soviet jets.
“F-16s will definitely give new vitality, confidence and motivation to our fighters and civilians,” Zelenskyy mentioned throughout a Sunday press convention at a navy air base within the southern Netherlands metropolis of Eindhoven.
Standing alongside Mark Rutte, the outgoing Dutch prime minister, Zelenskyy mentioned: “We are going to use these jets to maintain Russian terrorists away from Ukrainian cities and villages,” referring to a Saturday Russian ballistic missile strike on a theatre in central Chernihiv, north of Kyiv. Seven folks had been killed and greater than 100 injured.
Zelenskyy in a separate submit on social media platform X mentioned his nation would obtain 42 of the jets being retired by the Netherlands. Rutte mentioned his nation has that quantity in inventory, however he declined to specify precisely what number of can be delivered to Kyiv. He mentioned “round 15” had been wanted for coaching.
“We want planes to assist us prepare,” a Dutch authorities spokesman mentioned. “We’re trying into whether or not we will provide the remaining planes however we’ve to see even whether or not they are often up to date.”
Throughout a press convention with Zelenskyy at Skrydstrup air base in Denmark, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned her nation would donate 19 F-16s, which the Ukrainian president confirmed on social media.
Denmark, which has 43 F-16s, mentioned the deliveries can be made “steadily” whereas the Nordic nation strikes to the newer F-35 jets. The Netherlands can be shopping for a fleet of F-35s.
“Denmark will do all the pieces we will to develop the coalition in order that extra nations can assist ship the F-16s that Ukraine must strengthen its air defence,” mentioned overseas minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Zelenskyy will spend Sunday evening in Denmark earlier than addressing the nation’s parliament and assembly Queen Margrethe on Monday.
Frederiksen mentioned the primary six F-16s ought to be delivered across the finish of this 12 months, eight extra in 2024 and the remaining 5 in 2025. It was not instantly clear when the Dutch jets would arrive in Ukraine.
Danish officers mentioned one situation of the donation was that the jets had been utilized by Ukraine solely to defend itself, not for attacking Russia.
Ukraine began pleading for western fighter jets quickly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine’s robust air defence methods, composed of a depleting Soviet arsenal and newly arriving Nato-grade surface-to-air missiles, have prevented Russia’s large air pressure from reaching air dominance.
However Ukrainian pilots have complained that their ageing Soviet fleet can not present correct cowl for infantry as a result of Russia’s newer-generation fighter jets with longer-range radars and missiles are capable of hearth on them and floor positions from secure distances.
Further reporting by Alice Hancock in Brussels