Ukraine should start preparing for receiving F-16 fighters - Air Force spox

Ukraine should already start preparations for receiving from foreign partners F-16 multi-purpose warplanes, including training pilots, preparing maintenance bases, and setting up an airfield network.

This was stated by the spokesman for the Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, who spoke on the air of the national telethon, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We need a decision on the transfer of a multi-purpose warplane to Ukraine. The process (of preparations - ed.) should start now. That is, it will kick off with the training of pilots and engineers, and in parallel lines, the base for maintaining these planes and the airfield network will also be prepared. The transfer process itself, of course, is not an easy endeavor – it is about technical paperwork, etc. But we don't have time for any delay, we have to start doing this now," Ihnat said.

He emphasized Ukraine’s need for multipurpose fighter jets capable of engaging targets in the sky, on land, and at sea.

As Ukrinform reported, speaking at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Armed Forces Committee, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, said that in the future the Armed Forces of Ukraine may receive F-16 generation 4 fighter jets.