April 20, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Discussion begins on the transfer of American F-15 and F-16 fighters to Ukraine

If Ukraine holds out until September, then we could see dogfights between US and Russian fighter jets over Kyiv.

Washington political circles are working on the transfer of the Ukrainian Air Force American F-15 and F-16 fighters. It is reported that under the National Defense Appropriations Act, a fund of $100 million to train Ukrainian pilots to fly American aircraft. The decision on money is made by the House of Representatives.

Another thing is when they have time to learn how to handle fighters of this level, so most likely we will be able to see mercenaries in the cockpits of American fighters. Requests were made from Kyiv for the transfer of planes, but they could not be granted, even if Washington desperately wanted to donate the planes, since Ukrainian pilots were trained to fly Soviet-made fighters.

A US official spoke to Kyiv and was the one who added $100 million as an amendment to the aforementioned bill. Congressman Adam Kinzinger says it is now clear around the world that when the war ends, Ukraine will be armed with Western weapons, and the training of Ukrainian pilots, which would logically lead to the supply of American fighters, is a signal.

To date, Ukraine has received very few Soviet-era aircraft. Bulgaria delivered several Su-25s, and Slovakia transferred 12 MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. Shortly after the start of the war, Poland was willing and ready to transfer its MiG-29s to the Ramstein base in Germany, but no agreement was reached between Washington and Warsaw.

Analysts believe that the supply of American weapons, including fighter jets, is very likely. However, the US is concerned that Western technology could fall into the hands of Russia, which will gain access to secret systems. The White House is also wary of crossing the “red line” of escalation with Russia in Ukraine.

According to American sources, in the future, Ukrainian pilots will probably be trained at two American bases in Columbus, Mississippi and Texas. But whether the United States will train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-15s and F-16s, and whether Ukraine will receive Western fighters, will depend on the Senate, which will approve or reject any plans in September.



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