A bipartisan group of eight United States senators from both parties is urging the Pentagon to provide detailed information on the prospect of sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. They contend that modern airpower could alter battlefield dynamics and offer Kyiv a significant edge.
The lawmakers are pushing for transparency, asking the Department of Defense for a clearer picture of what such a transfer would entail. They delivered a letter to the secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, noting that top officials in the presidential administration, including the president, have so far resisted supplying American-made jets to Kyiv.
According to the letter, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has reached a critical juncture. The signatories are convinced that F-16s could give Kyiv an important strategic advantage by enhancing its air capabilities and staying power in combat zones.
“Following discussions at the Munich Security Conference with U.S. representatives, Ukrainian officials, and other world leaders who support Ukraine, we believe the United States should carefully evaluate supplying Ukraine with F-16 aircraft. This could be a meaningful change on the battlefield”, the letter states.
One of the letter’s initiators is former astronaut and Democrat from Arizona, Senator Mark Kelly. Together with colleagues, he has requested that Austin provide by week’s end an assessment of the factors necessary for a successful transfer of F-16s to Ukraine.
The lawmakers ask for insight into how Ukrainian officials viewed the jets when making weapons requests and whether the F-16s would be procured from new production lines or existing stock if approved. They also request a military assessment of the potential impact on the conflict and an estimate of how quickly Ukrainian pilots could be trained to operate the fighters.
The letter was signed by Democrats Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and Jackie Rosen of Nevada, along with Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Ted Budd of North Carolina. A separate report from Fox News mentions that two Ukrainian pilots recently traveled to Tucson, Arizona to test in an F-16 simulator at Morris Air National Guard Base. Lawmakers described this as a crucial step in evaluating Ukraine’s ability to counter Western air power. It is noted that the Ukrainian air force still predominantly operates Soviet-era aircraft, including the MiG-29, in many fleets.
Conflict with the President
Fox News coverage recalls a February development when a bipartisan group of House members sent a similar appeal to President Biden, urging the provision of aircraft to Ukraine.
Officials have argued that F-16s or comparable fourth-generation jets would offer Ukraine a highly mobile platform to counter Russian air defenses, protect ground forces during engagements, and challenge Russian air superiority. The discussion has illustrated a split between legislative proposals and the administration’s stated priorities. Politico reports that top civilian aides, including President Biden and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, have argued that fighter aircraft are not an urgent battlefield need for Ukraine.
Deputy Defense Secretary Colin Kahl has defended the current stance, noting that even in the best-case scenario, older F-16s might take around 18 months to deliver, while new production could take three to six years. He acknowledged that while Ukraine prioritizes air defense systems, other critical requirements such as armored vehicles and mechanized units remain on the agenda. The administration’s position reflects a broader assessment of capabilities and timelines, even as lawmakers press for faster action and greater clarity about what a potential F-16 transfer would entail.