It seems Denmark could postpone the supply of the promised F-16 plane to Ukraine. The setback is anticipated to final a minimal of six months, with native information shops projecting a possible timeline because the “third quarter” of 2024. This growth was reported by the Danish information outlet, Berlingske, citing sources from Denmark’s Protection Ministry.
If you happen to recall, as per BulgarianMilitary.com, Denmark and the Netherlands have been the primary two European nations given the go-ahead by America to re-export F-16s. Each nations pledged to ship F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine of their quest to assist their protection towards Russia’s invasion, beginning in February 2022. Denmark promised to ship 19 F-16s, whereas the Netherlands dedicated to offering 18. These commitments are key elements of the West’s technique to supply help to Ukraine.
The Danish Protection Ministry, as cited by Berlingske, underscored that the timeline for delivering plane is contingent upon a number of components. It clarified that the profitable instruction and readiness of Ukrainian pilots, together with sufficiency in logistics and mandatory infrastructure for plane upkeep in Ukraine, dictate the schedule. Additional particulars, nonetheless, weren’t divulged by the Ministry.
It was reported earlier by the American press, citing a high-ranking US navy official on the Pentagon, that Ukrainian pilots are at present not outfitted to supervise F-16 operations in Ukraine. Their coaching is ongoing, and in line with US navy estimates, extra Ukrainian pilots might probably be ready to take the helm by late summer season, 2024.
As harkened again by BulgarianMilitary.com, Denmark, and Belgium stand agency of their dedication to facilitate the coaching of Ukrainian pilots utilizing their F-16s. The coaching facilities, nestled in Denmark, have been routinely involving these plane. Signalized by BulgarianMilitary.com, an extra duo of F-16s dispatched by Belgium is slated to have interaction within the augmentation of Ukrainian pilots’ expertise on the Danish facilities.
In response to sources from Denmark, the UK, and different Western nations, there are already six pilots from the Ukrainian Air Pressure actively flying F-16s throughout Danish airspace. In the meantime, one other dozen are nonetheless in the UK, going via “dry” coaching which begins with studying English, an important language for his or her future missions.
Denmark, like Belgium, is awaiting the supply of its new fleet of F-35s, constructed by Lockheed Martin. Nevertheless, this supply, just like Belgium’s, has confronted delays and won’t arrive by the beforehand scheduled date. The delay stems from points which have arisen throughout the integration of the TR-3 into Block 4 of the fight plane in the USA, a matter we’ve beforehand broached. The purpose is to switch the Danish and Belgian getting older fleet of F-16s with these fifth-generation American fighters.
Uncertainty looms over the projected timeline for F-16 supply. This has been confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Protection, who, as reported by Berlingske, lately acknowledged, “I can’t touch upon the precise time when Ukraine would obtain its first F-16s.”
Reflecting on the current occasions, BulgarianMilitary.com reminds us of a vital assertion made by the departing Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, on December 22. He disclosed that the Netherlands is gearing as much as ship an preliminary set of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Nevertheless, he firmly identified that sure standards have to be happy earlier than this switch can start.
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