The Ukrainian military may receive F-16 fighters by the end of 2023, but they will not be able to fundamentally change the situation on the battlefield. The Armed Forces are in dire need of artillery.
This was stated by the coordinator of the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby, FOX News reports.
"F-16s will be delivered to Ukraine, probably closer to the end of the year. But, according to our assessment, F-16s alone will not be able to make changes (on the battlefield - ed.). They really need artillery the most. And that's why the US president made a difficult decision to transfer cluster munitions. They shoot thousands," said Kirby.
According to him, the Armed Forces most need artillery, ammunition, anti-aircraft defense and armor - tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.
"On all these points, we have provided an incredible amount of assistance and, frankly, at an unprecedented speed. These are the four areas that they need. If you look at the assistance packages like the one we announced yesterday - and there will be another one soon - you will see that we are really trying to provide them with these opportunities," the coordinator added.
He also added that the supply of aircraft will be effective only in combination with other weapons that are needed for the Armed Forces.
Transfer of F-16 fighters.
Ukraine's allies recently decided to train our pilots on American F-16 fighters. This happened after US President Joe Biden supported the corresponding initiative.
Denmark and the Netherlands headed the aviation coalition, within the framework of which the training will take place. At the same time, no country has yet announced the supply of F-16s to Ukraine.
According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, our country will receive American fighter jets only next year.
