Kyiv takes delivery of first F-16 planes from America

Ukraine has received its first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of a pair of F16 fighter jets from the US. Picture: AFP

Ukraine has received its first batch of US-made F-16 fighter jets, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, quickly adding more were needed to beat back Russian forces.

For more than two years, Ukraine has pleaded with its Western partners for the aircraft – long considered the crown jewel in the sprawling list of military hardware Kyiv has sought.

“We often heard the word ­‘impossible’. Now it is a reality. ­Reality in our skies. F-16s in Ukraine. We made it happen,” Mr Zelensky said on Sunday as some flew above him.

The President was standing in front of what looked like two grey, partially-covered F-16s branded with the Ukrainian trident, in a ­location reporters were asked not to disclose for security reasons.

“I am proud of all our guys who are mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country,” he said.

He did not say how many jets had been delivered and declined to comment on their specific tasks.

The announcement was welcomed by many as Kyiv’s forces are struggling to hold back advances by Russian troops. “This is the combat aircraft we have been waiting for which can significantly enhance our capabilities,” said Ukrainian parliament chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Kyiv hopes the arrival of the fighter jets will enable it to better protect itself from Russian bombardment.

Their decisiveness will depend on several factors including the types of weapons provided with the planes and the proficiency ­levels of pilots.

Mr Zelensky immediately warned more were needed.

“Our partners know that the number of F-16s we have in Ukraine, the number of pilots who have already been trained, is not enough,” he said.

“The good news is that we are expecting additional F-16s.”

Several NATO countries have pledged to supply varying numbers of the fighter jets and have been training Ukrainian pilots and crews for months.

“Our guys are training a lot,” Mr Zelensky said, thanking Denmark, The Netherlands, the US and other allies.

Amid a Russian air campaign in recent months, Kyiv has placed Ukraine’s need for improved air defences at the top of the agenda in meetings with allies. Mr Zelensky said in May that Ukraine needed about 130 F-16s to secure parity with Russian air power.

Ukraine’s partners, however, have promised to send fewer than 100 F-16s to date, with most likely to arrive over the course of several years following substantial pilot training.

Recent strikes on Ukrainian airfields have also raised questions about Kyiv’s ability to protect the multimillion-dollar planes from Russian raids.

Early last month, Russia claimed to have destroyed five military jets during a barrage on an air base in central Ukraine.

Russia warned last week that any F-16s delivered to Ukraine would be shot down.

AFP