Western multi-role F-16 fighter jets are already in Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced this during the anniversary of the creation of the Ukrainian Air Force.

The President thanked the partners for the transfer of the modern fighter jets to Ukraine.

He also showed a flight of a pair of Ukrainian F-16s:

For obvious reasons, it was not disclosed where exactly this took place during the events to congratulate the Ukrainian military from the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“I am proud of all our guys who are mastering these aircraft and have already started using them for our country. I thank our team for this result. I thank all the partners who really help with F-16s and the first countries that accepted our request for the aircraft – Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States – and all our partners – we appreciate your support!” the President emphasized.

He wished our Air Force and all the soldiers to feel the pride of Ukrainians in our combat aviation and to bring Ukraine exactly the kind of combat results that will bring our victory closer – our justified peace for Ukraine.

The transfer of F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force has been a long process and was first officially mentioned in the Vision of the Air Force of Ukraine issued in 2020.

At that time, they were theoretically considered on a par with Swedish Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen aircraft and were planned to replace the multi-type fleet of Soviet aircraft in service with the Ukrainian Air Force.

These were not only MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets but also Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24M bombers, and Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft.

However, before the start of the large-scale invasion, this did not go beyond discussions. Only with the outbreak of large-scale hostilities did the process move forward, and Ukraine began lobbying for the transfer of both the aircraft manufacturer and the countries that could transfer them to the United States.