Aviation industry analyst Valery Romanenko says Kiev is on the cusp of receiving American F-16 fighters, with the only missing piece being the formal signature from the U.S. president to complete the deal. In discussions summarized for this report, the delay is framed as a political approval hurdle in Washington rather than a capability or readiness issue on the Ukrainian side.
Romanenko explains that all practical preparations for operating the F-16s are already in place. Personnel training plans are set, and arrangements for installing and maintaining the aircraft are ready to go. He notes a training center planned for Denmark at the Skrydstrup airbase has chosen Romania as a backup in case additional capacity is needed. This backing plan is part of a broader network designed to accelerate pilot and technician readiness across allied forces.
Earlier in 2024, the same expert suggested that Kiev could potentially receive up to 50 F-16s that Norway has decommissioned from its air force since January 2022. The indication is that these aircraft could be redirected to Ukraine if the political and security parameters in Washington allow it and if the transfer of systems complies with U.S. security considerations.
In related remarks, Jake Sullivan, who formerly served as the U.S. national security adviser, stated that training for Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16 could begin within weeks of clearance, potentially taking place within the European Union as part of a coordinated effort among allied nations.
On a separate note, the ministry of foreign affairs recently reported that three Colombians were injured in the missile attack on Kramatorsk. The incident is being reviewed by authorities as investigations continue into casualty figures and the broader security implications for the region.