All political decisions on F-16 have been made, coalition is working to increase aircraft number - FM Kuleba

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this at a joint press conference with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot in Kyiv on December 5. "The F-16 Coalition is working, in particular, to increase the aircraft number to be transferred to Ukraine," Kuleba said. According to him, all political decisions have already been made.

"Regarding the F-16, first of all, all political decisions have been made. We are already in the technical preparation phase. Therefore, as soon as the pilots, technicians and infrastructure are ready in Ukraine, these aircraft will be in Ukraine, protecting our skies and defending our soldiers who will be counterattacking," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.

He added that work is underway to build a training center for Ukrainian pilots and technicians in Romania. "Today I have received assurances that the commitments made by the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16s will be fulfilled," Kuleba said.

F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine

• 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 Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition.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.

• On November 7, 5 Dutch F-16 fighter jets arrived in Romania, where a training center for Ukrainian and Romanian pilots would soon open.