Ukraine Receives First Delivery of Small Number of F-16 Fighter Jets from NATO Allies

Jul 31, 2024, 03:36 PM

Ukraine has received its first delivery of fourth-generation U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from NATO allies, Bloomberg reported on July 31, citing unnamed sources. This long-awaited move is seen as a significant step to bolster Ukraine's air defenses amid ongoing efforts to repel Russia's invasion. The delivery, which met the deadline set for the end of July 2024, consists of a small number of aircraft. While the arrival of these jets is expected to enhance Ukraine's military capabilities, it remains uncertain whether Ukrainian pilots, who have been training with Western instructors, will be able to operate them effectively.