France and Netherlands bolster Ukraine's air defence with jets
The delivery of the first French Mirage 2000-5 fighters and additional Dutch F-16 fighters will strengthen Ukrainian air defence. Notably, the news about the extra F-16 transfers emerged just a few hours after French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the Mirage 2000-5 jets' transfer to Ukraine.
The Netherlands has delivered another batch of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, which the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence confirmed. Although the exact number of planes transferred wasn't provided, President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that the nation continues to expand its F-16 fleet.
Support from the Netherlands and France
According to Defense Romania, Zelensky remarked that the Netherlands is honouring its commitments, bringing Ukraine closer to victory and better protecting its cities and citizens. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence expressed gratitude for this support, which bolsters the country’s security.
A few hours before the Dutch delivery announcement, France confirmed the transfer of its first Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine. French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu noted that Ukrainian pilots are now ready to defend Ukraine’s skies after training in France.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence emphasized that modern combat aircraft are already in the country and will soon begin combat missions. This significantly enhances Ukraine's defensive capabilities against Russian aggression. The exact number of aircraft delivered by the Netherlands and France was not specified. Western allies promised Ukraine approximately 80 F-16 aircraft, of which about 20 were delivered by the end of last year.
F-16 in Ukraine
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a fourth-generation American multirole fighter jet that has been a mainstay in the air forces of many countries since the 1970s. It is about 15 metres long with a wingspan of almost 10 metres. Powered by a single jet engine, the F-16 can reach a maximum speed of about 2,735 km/h. This aircraft can perform various combat missions, including air combat, ground attacks, and reconnaissance.
The F-16s transferred to Ukraine are mainly C/D versions. These aircraft have advanced avionics and can carry a wide range of weapons, including modern air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. They are also equipped with modern AN/APG-66 pulse-Doppler radars, which enable them to detect and track targets in the air and on the ground.
It's worth noting that Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel were trained to operate F-16s for several months with the support of Western allies. This support enabled Ukraine to quickly integrate these modern machines into its combat operations.
