The Economist: First batch of F-16 fighter jets arrives in Ukraine

The first batch of 10 F-16 fighter jets, promised to Ukraine by Western countries, has been delivered to Ukrainian territory, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Economist.

The publication reports that Ukraine will have 20 American-made F-16s by the end of this year. The remaining aircraft will be delivered in batches throughout 2025.

German security expert and political advisor Nico Lange told the newspaper that fighter jets are a priority target for the Russian army. As a result, they are being stationed at underground and fortified bases. This dispersion complicates logistics, he noted.

The F-16s can use cheaper AIM-9X heat-seeking missiles, which are capable of targeting drones such as the "Geran" and "Shahed" and launching anti-ship missiles.

On July 31, Bloomberg reported that Ukraine had received its first batch of F-16s. According to the Times, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were given six jets from the Netherlands. The Telegraph reported that Ukrainian military personnel have already conducted their first combat flights and have used the F-16s for air defense.

The White House has declined to confirm the delivery of the fighter jets to Ukraine. At the NATO summit in Washington earlier this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised that F-16s would be seen in the skies over Ukraine "this summer."

At the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May 2023, it was announced that Ukraine would receive fourth-generation F-16 fighter jets from the US. Over the next four years, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have pledged to supply Ukraine with a total of 85 fighter jets.