That is according to Oleh Katkov editor-in-chief of Ukrainian language version of Defense Express.
"Indeed, we will be waiting for years for F-16s because the aircraft will be delivered to Ukraine gradually. And this is the implementation of the program. Norway is currently sending two F-16s to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots. Ten instructors will also be sent along with the two-seat version of the aircraft. The Norwegian newspaper writes that all the planes will be in Denmark no earlier than spring, and possibly in the summer. Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte announced the transfer of 18 fighter jets to Ukraine at once," Oleh Katkov said on Espreso TV.
Read more: Preparation for Transfer of First 18 F-16s From the Netherlands to Ukraine Has Begun
As the expert explaned, this is a program that provides F-16s to Ukraine from donor countries, which replace them with F-35s.
"But some donor countries will be able to start delivering F-16s much later. For example, Belgium reported the possibility of delivering only the first few aircraft in 2025. A Norwegian publication noted that Ukraine could receive up to a hundred aircraft. This means that absolutely all F-16s available in the announced donor countries will be transferred. This is a significant number of aircraft that require a large number of pilots and ground personnel to be trained. Supplying Ukraine with F-16s is not a short-term task. This is one of the largest rearmament programs in Ukraine," the editor-in-chief of Ukrainian language version of Defense Express concluded.
As Defense Express reported, The Acquisition of F-16 Fighter Jets by Ukraine Is Nearing Completion. Earlier Ukraine’s Air Force Announced When F-16 Fighter Jets Will Appear in Ukraine. We also wrote earlier on How Much Time Ukrainian Pilots Took to Switch From Soviet Jets to F-16.
Read more: Image of Destroyed “Ukrainian” F-16 Aircraft Near Odesa Emerges as Belgian Incident
