Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies, a long-awaited delivery intended to fight back against Russian drone and missile attacks, according to multiple outlets.
On Wednesday, Ukraine had taken delivery of an unspecified number of F-16s, falling within an end-of-the-month deadline for the transfer, Bloomberg first reported.
The Pentagon declined to comment on the transfer, directing questions to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, which has not officially announced the delivery.
Kyiv for two and a half years has sought the aircraft, arguing they were critically needed to repel a near-constant barrage of Russian missiles aimed at cities and key infrastructure. But it wasn’t until May 2023 that the Biden administration — which feared providing the F-16s would escalate the war with Russia — reversed its policy to allow allies to transfer the U.S.-made jets to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month announced that the F-16s were on their way to Ukraine, telling a NATO public forum that the advanced fighter jets were expected to be defending Ukraine’s skies “this summer.”
Blinken did not say how many F-16s were being sent, but the jets were to come from the Netherlands and Denmark. A joint statement from Washington, the Hague and Copenhagen said details are being withheld for “operational security.”
The U.S. also has been training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16s, with the first group graduating in May.
The process has not been smooth, with several delays, a language barrier between Ukrainian pilots and their trainers, and concerns the country doesn’t have enough runways for the jets.
The issues mean Ukraine is getting far less aircraft than the 300 its officials have pushed for, and no more than 24, according to Bloomberg.
Still, the F-16s will help boost Kyiv’s ability to strike back against Moscow’s sky dominance.