The Pentagon has said that to deliver 10 F-16 fighters to Ukraine, the US and its allies need $2 billion to buy equipment and maintain operations.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said May 25 that two European allies, Denmark and the Netherlands, “decided to take the lead” in developing a plan to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets, when other countries promise your support.
“Norway, Belgium, Portugal and Poland have all offered to contribute to the pilot training program. We look forward to more countries joining this important initiative,” said Mr. Austin.
General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said countries will deliver 10 F-16 fighters to Ukraine and calculate the cost of that effort. “It takes a billion dollars to buy these fighters, it takes another billion dollars to keep it running, then it takes two billion dollars for 10 F-16s,” he said.
The F-16 multi-mission fighter, developed by General Dynamics in the 1970s, is used by the US and its allies. Each F-16 costs about $30 million to $35 million, depending on the variant, but customers can pay more or less based on the quantity ordered, economic and political conditions, and other factors.
US F-16 fighters operate in the Middle East on May 1. Photo: USAF
When asked if the US Congress would provide the necessary funding for Ukraine to receive F-16 fighters, Secretary Austin said “this is an international effort.” “Our colleagues are looking to establish a fund for other countries to contribute to the joint effort. I hope the US Congress will support it,” Austin said.
General Milley and US military commanders asserted that modern fighters are not the key for Ukraine to change the conflict situation with Russia. “There is no miracle weapon, the F-16 or anything else,” Milley said.
President Joe Biden is committed to helping allies and partners train pilots and deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a White House official said May 20. The coalition of nations participating in the effort “will decide when to deliver the fighters, the quantity and the supplier”.
The US decision is considered particularly important because allies need Washington’s approval to re-export weapons and military equipment to third countries, including F-16 fighter jets.
The US led the military aid coalition to Ukraine after hostilities with Russia began in February 2022. The West sent weapons worth tens of billions of dollars to Ukraine, including main battle tanks, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft missiles and long-range cruise missiles.
However, the US has opposed supplying advanced fighter jets to Ukraine out of fear of a lengthy and costly process, as well as rising tensions with Russia. Washington recently changed its mind when Western allies and Kiev increased pressure for the US to approve the F-16 delivery.
Nguyen Tien (according to military)
