The Pentagon has announced that the US military will help Ukraine learn to use F-16 fighter jets.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed on Thursday that Ukraine was receiving training to use the F-16s in aerial combat. However, defense officials have warned that catching up with Ukraine on aircraft technology will not be a “magic” solution to the war.
“There are no magic weapons,” said Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He added: “The Russians have a thousand fourth and fifth generation fighters, so if you’re going to take on Russia in the air, you’re going to need a substantial number of fourth and fifth generation fighters.”
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Two F-16 fighter jets take part in the NATO air defense exercise near an airbase in Lask, Poland. (RADOSLAW JOZWIAK/AFP via Getty Images)
Austin told the press that more than just learning how to operate the planes, Ukrainian military personnel will need to learn how to service the planes and maintain their use with ammunition and supplies.
Austin said the US military was already receiving initiative aid from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Poland.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivers a statement to the press at Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)
“We expect more countries to join this important initiative,” Austin said.
The Defense Secretary went on to call the initiative “an important example of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security.”
The Pentagon’s comments mark the culmination of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy so-called “Fighter Coalition” – a push to pool the resources of the nation’s allies and build their air force capabilities.
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Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, right, and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak to members of the press after their meeting at Checkers, the Prime Minister’s official residence in Aylesbury, UK. (Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Zelenskyy visited the UK earlier this month, negotiating additional military support with the country’s leader. Zelensky met British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Chequers, the leader’s official country residence.
The British government has said the country will not supply fighter jets, but has pledged to help train Ukrainian pilots.
“[Ukrainians] need the sustained support of the international community to defend against the deluge of relentless and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for over a year,” the Prime Minister said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Biden shake hands at the Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS)
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Last week, President Biden had an equally productive meeting with Zelenskyy.
President Biden informed fellow G7 leaders in Japan that the United States would help train Ukrainian pilots on modern high-tech aircraft – the latest member of the loosely defined “coalition.”
“I salute the historic decision of the United States and POTUS to support an international coalition of fighter jets,” Zelenskyy said on social media.
