US Approves Delivery of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine, Minister of Foreign Affairs Blinken: Very Important to Survive Russian Aggression

US F-16 fighter jets. (Wikimedia Commons/US Air Force/Master Sigt. Andy Dunaway)

JAKARTA - The United States has approved the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to defend against Russian attacks as soon as pilot training is complete, a US official said on Thursday.

Ukraine has been actively seeking US-made F-16 fighter jets to help it counter Russian air superiority.

Washington itself gave formal assurances to Denmark and the Netherlands that the United States would expedite approval of a transfer request for F-16s to be sent to Ukraine once the pilots have been trained, the official said.

Denmark and the Netherlands recently asked for such guarantees. The US must approve the transfer of military jets from its allies to Ukraine.

A coalition of 11 countries will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets this month in Denmark. Danish Acting Defense Minister Troels Poulsen said in July the country hoped to see "results" from the training in early 2024.

NATO members Denmark and the Netherlands have led international efforts to train pilots as well as support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately enable Ukraine to procure F-16s for use in its war with Russia.

Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent letters to his Danish and Dutch counterparts, assuring them the request would be approved, the US official said.

"I am writing to convey the United States' full support for the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine and for the training of Ukrainian pilots by qualified F-16 instructors," Foreign Minister Blinken said in a letter to the two officials, reported by Reuters on August 18.

"It is extremely important for Ukraine to be able to defend itself against the ongoing Russian aggression and violation of its sovereignty," he continued.

Foreign Minister Blinken also said that approval of the request would allow Ukraine to take "full advantage of its new capabilities, as soon as the first batch of pilots completes their training."

Previously, US President Joe Biden endorsed a training program for Ukrainian pilots with the F-16 in May. In addition to training in Denmark, a training center will be established in Romania.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on Wednesday that Kyiv would not be able to operate US-made F-16 fighter jets in the fall and winter.

While US officials privately say the F-16s will do little to help Ukraine in the current counteroffensive, neither will be a game changer when the jets finally arrive, given Russia's air defense systems and the disputed skies over Ukraine.