Germany could offer Eurofighter jets to strengthen Ukraine - Defense Minister Reznikov

There is a possibility of Ukraine receiving Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Germany.

That’s according to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, DW reports.

"If Britain and Germany were to combine their Eurofighter supply capabilities, that would be an important step," minister said in an interview Germany’s Funke media group and French newspaper Ouest France, published on Tuesday.

He recalled that there is already an international "tank coalition", in which the main model is the German Leopard 2, as well as the American Abrams and the British Challenger. Reznikov added that similarly, a "coalition of fighter jets" could be formed with the basic model being the American F-16, as well as with the Eurofighter and the Swedish Gripen.

According to the minister, in general, Ukraine needs about 120 fighter jets. "The largest part should be F-16s, of which there are more than 5,000 available across the world. But Eurofighters and Gripens would also help us," said Reznikov.

The minister emphasized that, first of all, Ukraine would welcome Germany's participation in the training of Ukrainian pilots on Eurofighters. "Our British partners are ready to offer Ukrainians training courses on Eurofighters. And with our Swedish friends, we are discussing ways to start training on Saab Gripen aircraft," he said.

Denmark and the Netherlands are engaged in the plan to train pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on F-16 fighters. According to Reznikov, Ukraine is also negotiating with Poland and Belgium regarding the training of Ukrainian war pilots on combat aircraft. In Denmark, it is assumed that the training of the Ukrainian pilots on F-16s can begin in July.