Ukraine wants to receive 40-50 F-16 jets from allies – defense minister adviser

Kyiv hopes to receive 40-50 F-16 fighter jets from the allies.

"Ukraine wants between 40 to 50 F-16s in total, forming three or four squadrons to defend its skies from Russian bombardments," Yuriy Sak, adviser to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, told Politico.

Kyiv is telling Western leaders the need for modern jets has become more acute since the Russian Air Force began widespread use of guided glide bombs in March, reaching targets at greater distances. Ukraine currently has “nothing to stop” the Russian aircraft carrying them, Sak said.

“Everybody understands that the topic is ripe for discussion. Nobody said that it’s impossible. If you compared it with three months ago, when we were still struggling to get tanks, today everybody is talking about the jet coalition — that’s a very promising sign,” he said.

“We understand that our air defense will not be complete without fighter jets, F-16s,” Sak added.

According to him, President Zelensky wants combat jets at the top of the agenda at the G7 summit in Hiroshima and then again at the annual NATO summit in Lithuania in July.

The defense minister adviser said the Ukrainian president received “assurances” from Western leaders during his latest European tour that they will discuss the issue in the days ahead.

Although Britain, Italy, France and Germany do not have F-16s to offer, Sak said “they have an important voice in the international coalition” and Ukraine would like them to “encourage” allies such as the U.S. and Turkey.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Italy, Germany, France, and the UK a few days ago.