First batch of F-16 fighter jets reaches Ukraine after several delays: Report

The F-16 fighter jets have finally arrived in Kyiv in a big boost to Ukraine's faltering defences against an increasingly belligerent Russia. It was in May 2023 when the Joe Biden administration of the US officially dropped its opposition to sending advanced fighter jets to the war-torn nation. After a wait of more than a year, the big day has finally arrived, Bloomberg reported.

As per the report, the deadline for the transfer of the jets was the end of July, which stands fulfilled now. However, as per sources quoted by Bloomberg, "the number of jets is small".

Ukraine yet to confirm these reports

As per the agreed deal, Kyiv is set to receive at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway in the coming years.

The allied "fighter jet coalition" has also been training Ukrainian pilots for months now to enable them to operate the jet in war-like conditions.

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However, it was not clear whether Ukrainian pilots could immediately use the jets or not.

'Won't be a game changer'

The arrival of the F-16 jets may shore up Ukraine's defences, but they are not expected to prove to be a game-changer, Bloomberg reported last year.

According to experts quoted by the news agency, the jets dispatched to Kyiv would have 'inferior radar and shorter range missiles that the most modern Russian jets and air defenses.'

“It’ll be like they pushed the easy button or switched from driving a Lada to a Honda Accord,” Brynn Tannehill, a former aviator who designed simulators for F-16s, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg, referring to the notoriously clunky Soviet-era Lada car.

So, Ukraine shouldn't expect the F-16 jets to enable them to have air superiority.

Most likely, the jets will be restricted to defence or used in very high-risk operations.

(With inputs from agencies)