The first F-16s have already arrived in Ukraine, and the United States has agreed to equip them with the latest missiles and bombs
The British edition of the Times writes that the first six F-16 military fighters from those previously promised to Kyiv by the Netherlands have allegedly already arrived in Ukraine.
The publication says that Denmark will soon send another batch of aircraft.
According to the Times, over the next year Ukraine should receive about 20 F-16 fighters, including from Belgium and Norway.
In the longer term, these four European countries promised to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with about 80 fighters, but many of them will be used for spare parts, the publication notes.
The Ukrainian Air Force refused to comment to the Times on information about the supply of six aircraft.
Earlier, the British Daily Telegraph reported that F-16s had already carried out combat sorties in Ukraine and were used for air defense.
And the WSJ indicates that the United States is considering expanding the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16.
According to this publication, the United States wants to further train pilots either at an air base in Arizona, where training is already taking place, or at another facility in the country.
Another problematic issue is the maintenance of the F-16s that Ukraine will receive. According to the plan, Ukrainians who are learning the trade will perform most of the maintenance within the country.
However, an unnamed Pentagon official told the publication that higher-level work, such as engine servicing, will initially have to be performed overseas. Discussions are also ongoing regarding European countries sending contractors to service the F-16.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the US has decided not only to supply Ukraine with F-16s, but also to equip dozens of F-16 fighters headed to Ukraine with the latest missiles, bombs, and other modern weapons. The US has also decided to equip them with the latest strike systems, including missiles and bombs.
The publication says that the question of what specific configuration the aircraft will be delivered in has remained unresolved for a long time.
The first such aircraft are expected to enter service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces this month . Belgium and Norway will also send fighter jets.
However, European countries were previously reluctant to send Ukraine their missiles for fighter jets, since stocks of such ammunition are limited.
Now, the publication points out, the US has found a way to arm aircraft with modern systems: European allies will be able to create a fund for the joint purchase of the necessary missiles and bombs from the US.
In particular, according to WSJ, F-16 fighters will be equipped with AGM-88 HARM air-to-ground missiles, extended-range JDAM systems (they turn unguided bombs into smart munitions), AMRAAM medium-range missiles and missiles of the "smart" class. short-range air-to-air AIM-9X.
As stated in the publication, the use of the APU of the F-16 fighter jets is associated with several important issues, including pilot training, their maintenance and application purposes.
Previously, Ukraine complained about the slow pace of F-16 pilot training, which is due to a lack of places in schools in Western countries. It was this factor that Western officials explained the delay in sending aircraft to Ukraine, the publication said.