Espreso. Global

I hope to see F-16s in Ukrainian skies in spring - intelligence chief Budanov

15 February, 2024 Thursday
10:18

During the Ramstein-19 meeting, the issue of supplying F-16 fighters to Ukraine was discussed. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, promised to see them in the spring

client/title.list_title

He said this in a comment for ICTV.

The final stage of the transfer of F-16 aircraft for Ukrainian pilots is currently underway.

"Yes, the F-16 issue has been resolved. I think everyone knows. There were details, but they relate to technical issues, transfer, readiness to receive, infrastructure, readiness to service these aircraft, training of flight, and airfield personnel. These are purely technical issues. But the issue has been resolved," Budanov said.

In addition, he said that he hopes to see fighter jets in the skies over Ukraine in the spring of 2024: "Wait a minute. That's too soon. This is the final stage. You know our pilots are graduating, so everyone can do the math. It's not that hard. I hope we will see them in the spring.”

F-16 fighters for Ukraine: what is known

On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory. 

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

On August 17, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine.

At the same time, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia. 

The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown

On September 15, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition. Such aircraft are dangerous to operate.

On October 11, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in March-April 2024.

On October 12, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.

On October 26, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA

On November 1, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.

In early January 2024, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets this year.

On February 8, Ambassador to the Netherlands Oleksandr Karasevych said that Ukraine would receive F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands this year, but the exact date was not announced.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Saturday
8 February
20:00
Review
AIM-120 missiles: how Ukraine’s F-16s, NASAMS counter air, missile threats
19:40
Debate on peacekeepers in Ukraine are “inappropriate and premature”, says Scholz
19:26
Russia's artillery superiority decreased fivefold over past year - Ukraine’s top general
19:05
Putin expands Russian army for war, and not just against Ukraine — Zelenskyy
18:41
Exclusive
Ukraine’s defeat may prove to be strategic catastrophe for West - Russian opposition politician
18:18
Russian airstrike on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region injures family
17:51
Ukraine’s Kursk operation aims to prevent Russian advance on Sumy, Kharkiv regions - Zelenskyy
17:24
Exclusive
Attacks on Ukrainian military enlistment offices signal new phase of war - Ukrainian officer
16:55
Ukrainian forces shoot down Russian Su-25 in Donetsk region
16:30
Captain involved in killing 59 civilians in Hroza village, Kharkiv region, dies in Russia
15:45
Exclusive
Russian opposition politician warns against dangerous concessions in Ukraine-Russia talks
15:11
Review
Results of Ukraine's Kursk incursion and why North Korean troops don't surrender. Serhiy Zgurets' column
14:41
Ukrainian police evacuate family from Sumy border region amid Russian drone threat
14:10
Exclusive
Russians cut power, communication in occupied territories to move equipment closer to Dnipro River
13:30
Exclusive
Russian troops seek to secure right bank of Oskil River, expand bridgehead in Kharkiv region
13:02
Exclusive
Putin is going to deceive Trump - political scientist
12:28
Hegseth to attend Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels
11:58
Drones hit Russia's Rostov-on-Don, targeting Southern Military District HQ, key sites
11:30
 123 combat clashes reported on Feb. 7: Ukrainian forces stopped 30 attacks in Pokrovsk direction
10:50
Mother and child injured in Russian attack on Kherson, houses catch fire
10:25
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 67 out of 139 Russian UAVs, 71 drones lost locally
2025, Friday
7 February
21:10
Exclusive
Trump helps Ukraine trying to reduce Russia's resources for war - political expert Tsybulko
20:50
Old prototype, new hype: Russia displays aging Su-57 in India
20:31
Trump says he may meet with Zelenskyy next week
20:10
Ukrainians in Сongress: Key takeaways from Ukrainian Week in Washington
19:46
OPINION
Avoiding Afghanistan’s fate...
19:20
Exclusive
Mirage 2000 could replace Soviet Su-24s for strikes on Russian targets
18:56
Spanish soldiers practice storming trenches
Spanish army shows how it storms trenches based on Ukrainian military experience
18:31
Claims of Toretsk’s occupation false, fighting continues - DeepState analysts
18:10
Russia's defense industry fails to meet Russian army's needs
17:40
OPINION
Trump, metals, and weapons: Why Ukraine trades lithium and titanium for security guarantees
17:10
Ukraine debunks fake news about Russia’s alleged Oreshnik missile strike on Feb. 6
16:45
Exclusive
'U.S. influence on Russia': military expert on slowdown of Russian advances
16:23
Russian guided bomb downed over Zaporizhzhia: is Ukraine’s air defense entering new era?
16:01
Ukrainian Air Force successfully shoots down Russian guided bomb over Zaporizhzhia
15:40
'Russia tried to kill us': survivors expose truth behind Sudzha airstrike
15:19
Frozen Russian assets are matter of U.S. interest — Ukraine's Deputy Prime Stefanishyna
14:57
OPINION
Elections and large-scale war
14:34
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Pokrovsk frontline stabilized, but more concerning front looms — military analyst
14:11
Kremlin forced to respond as reports reveal Russia using donkeys, horses for frontline logistics
More news