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Ukraine may receive F-35 fighters after F-16s, military expert predicts
Valerii Riabykh, military expert, and development director of Defense Express media and consulting company, believes that Ukraine, after receiving F-16 aircraft, could potentially receive F-35 fighters in the future
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He shared this view on Espreso TV.
"If we discuss the 128 aircraft we need, they might not be limited to just F-16 fighters. Options could include Mirage-2000/5 or Gripen aircraft. At this stage, we can't rule out any possibilities with certainty. However, it's clear that Ukraine will continue to rearm with Western-style aircraft. We will gradually gain the technology needed to maintain their operational capabilities and produce spare parts," Riabykh explained.
According to him, after receiving the F-16s, the next step will be to obtain other advanced aircraft.
"Over time, Ukraine's air force will transition to a single type of aircraft, likely the 5th generation F-35 fighter jet. I do not doubt that we will receive F-35s in the future. Aircraft are not just about tactics; they are about strategy. Therefore, if we have already received the F-16, our pilots will move towards mastering other Western aircraft. Given Ukraine's geopolitical position, we will continue to receive the latest Western weapons," he added.
- On July 31, media reported that the first batch of F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies had already arrived in Ukraine.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to reports of the arrival of the first F-16 fighter jets in Ukraine, claiming that they would be shot down.
- On August 4, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the first F-16 fighter jets had arrived in Ukraine.
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2025, Wednesday
5 February
