F-16 Fighting Falcon

The arrival of the F-16s in Ukraine does not mean that they will immediately begin performing combat missions, as infrastructure preparation and assessment of the operational situation will determine their readiness to perform tasks, according to a spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots are training to fly F-16s in Denmark, and NATO has released a video showing their training, while the Netherlands is providing additional F-16s for training in Romania.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Ilya Yevlash said that F-16 fighters will start operating in Ukraine “after Easter” but did not specify the exact date, as it has changed several times.

An F-16 fighter jet of the US Air Force crashed near a national park in New Mexico, but the pilot ejected. Part of the park was temporarily closed to restrict civilian access to the crash site.

Ukraine will deploy F-16 fighters on scattered runways and airfields, using various methods to conceal their location and mislead the enemy to protect them from Russian strikes.

Belgium will supply Ukraine with up to 4 F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2023, earlier than the previously planned delivery date of 2025, with the costs covered by taxes on Russian assets.

This year, more than a squadron of F-16 fighter jets, pilots and support personnel trained by members of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense will start arriving in Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots are undergoing air combat training at an air base in France to prepare for the operation of F-16 fighter jets expected to arrive in Ukraine this summer.

Against the backdrop of international military and financial assistance to Ukraine, the occupiers began to intensify the construction of fortifications throughout Crimea.

Denmark will provide Ukraine with its entire fleet of decommissioned F-16 fighter jets, as previously agreed by the leaders of the two countries.

Three more F-16 multi-role fighter jets have been deployed to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots are expected to begin training soon.

Politico asked a Ukrainian army spokesperson about the threat if the occupiers manage to capture Chasiv Yar.

Three more F-16 fighters from the Netherlands Air Force will arrive at the European F-16 Pilot Training Center in Romania to support the training of Ukrainian pilots.

Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak met with a delegation from Lockheed Martin to discuss further operation of F-16 fighter jets, increasing defense production in Ukraine through cooperation with American companies, and strengthening Ukraine's air defense system in the face of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure.

Zelensky praised the allies' unity and effectiveness in defending against terror in Israeli skies, hinting at similar full support for Ukraine in shooting down drones and missiles to protect lives and prevent further escalation.

Zelenskyy met with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide during his visit to Ukraine, discussing further defense cooperation, strengthening Ukraine's air defense with Norwegian support, and expanding Norway's military and humanitarian assistance worth about $7. 1 billion under the Fritjof Nansen 2023-2027 program.

The Greek prime minister is convinced that russian troops deliberately launched a missile strike on Odesa to intimidate Athens when he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were visiting the city.

Bulgaria plans to deploy an air defense system on its territory in the context of military assistance to Ukraine.

Norway will provide Ukraine with a significant number of modernized F-16 fighter jets with updated weapons and a longer range to enhance Ukraine's ability to strike behind enemy lines.

Ukraine and Norway discussed a long-term support package for Ukraine, the expansion of the Fridtjof Nansen program, and Norway's participation in helping Ukraine obtain Patriot air defense systems from other countries.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Kroo said that Belgium supports the training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16s and hopes that the first delivery will take place in May, but Belgium still needs the F-16s themselves until they are replaced by F-35s.

The United States has given the green light for the transfer of 22 Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, along with engines, auxiliary materials, spare parts, and other necessary equipment.

Ukrainian pilots are in the final stages of training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and the United States, practicing strikes on small targets and improving their skills for real combat missions in Ukraine.

Poland has scrambled F-16 fighter jets due to intense russian missile attacks on Ukraine, launching procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace.

Zelenskiy says Germany refuses to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, its most powerful weapons system, as Scholz argues that Germany cannot leave itself without them, but Zelenskiy says this will not protect the world from a nuclear threat from Russia.

Greece can transfer 32 F-16C/D Block 30 fighters to Ukraine, which have been modernized and have about 60% of their operational life left. In addition, Greece has 24 Mirage 2000-5 Mk.2s in its fleet, which, with the consent of France, could also be transferred to Kyiv.

Russia seeks to turn Kharkiv into a gray zone uninhabitable for civilians through intense bombardment, while Ukraine promises to defend the city and seeks Western air defense systems to counter the threat.

Ukraine is developing its own domestic weapons against russian guided aerial bombs (UABs) in addition to using air defense systems and expects F-16 fighter jets to improve the situation, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Stoltenberg said that F-16 fighters will not be a "silver bullet" for Ukraine in the war against Russia, but they will strengthen Ukraine's ability to repel Russian attacks.

Several groups of Ukrainian pilots are being trained in different countries to fly the F-16. Two advanced groups in Denmark and the United States are already honing their skills on F-16s.