Ukraine’s air force is getting stronger with the arrival of more F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and the first Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from France.
This was reported by WP Tech.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed the arrival of additional Dutch F-16s, though it did not say exactly how many were delivered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s is growing, improving the country’s ability to protect its people and cities.
This news came just hours after France announced it had sent Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said that Ukrainian pilots trained in France are now ready to use these jets in combat.
These aircraft are part of a larger effort by Western countries to modernize Ukraine’s air force. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry expressed gratitude for the support, saying these deliveries increase the country’s security and defense capabilities.
By the end of 2023, Western allies had promised Ukraine around 80 F-16 fighter jets, with about 20 already delivered.
The latest shipments from France and the Netherlands further strengthen Ukraine’s air power, though the exact number of new arrivals is unknown.
A Key Asset in Ukraine’s Air Force
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fast and highly maneuverable fourth-generation fighter jet that has been widely used around the world since the 1970s.
Key details about the F-16:
Length: 15 meters
Wingspan: Nearly 10 meters
Top speed: Mach 2.2 (2,700 km/h)
Capabilities: Air combat, ground attacks, and reconnaissance missions
The F-16C/D versions given to Ukraine include:
Advanced radar systems for detecting and tracking targets
A range of modern missiles for air and ground combat
Ukraine’s pilots and ground crews spent several months training with Western partners to learn how to operate the F-16s. Thanks to this training, Ukraine has been able to quickly start using these advanced jets in combat.
