F-16 fighter jets are en route to Ukraine, as confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the NATO Public Forum in Washington, DC. The jets, originating from Denmark and the Netherlands, are set to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian aggression this summer.
A joint statement from US President Joe Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen affirmed the donation of American-made F-16s to Ukraine. The transfer process is currently in progress, with additional aircraft expected from Belgium and Norway.
Ukraine has long sought F-16 fighter jets to aid in its conflict with Russia. The first batch of Ukrainian pilots trained on these jets completed their training earlier this year, following approval from the US for European countries to provide training.
This development comes on the heels of President Biden's recent announcement of a new air defense package for Ukraine, which includes Patriot batteries. The specifics of the F-16 transfer remain confidential due to operational security concerns.