U.S. congressmen called to provide Ukraine with F-16s

Five congressmen from both parties called on the U.S. President to give Ukraine F-16 fighter aircraft.

Politico reported about this.

The congressmen claim that fighter aircraft “could prove decisive for control of Ukrainian airspace this year”.

The congressmen write that they make a “respectful request” to the Biden administration “to provide Ukraine with the means to ensure its air superiority as soon as possible, including the F-16 aircraft requested by Kyiv, or similar fourth generation fighter aircraft.”

According to them, “the provision of such aircraft is necessary to help Ukraine protect its airspace, particularly in light of renewed Russian offensives and considering the expected increase in large-scale combat operations”.

The letter was signed by Congressmen Jared Golden, Jason Crow and Chrissy Houlahan from the Democratic Party, as well as Tony Gonzales and Mike Gallagher from the Republican Party.

According to lawmakers, the fighter jets – either F-16s or something similar – would increase the capability of Ukrainian forces.

“F-16s or similar fourth generation fighter aircraft would provide Ukraine with a highly mobile platform from which to target Russian missiles and drones, to protect Ukrainian ground forces as they engage Russian troops, as well as to engage Russian fighters for contested air superiority,” they argued.

Even if President Biden chooses not to send F-16s, other Western nations that fly the American-made fighters could send them to Ukraine, though the U.S. would need to approve the transfer.

F-16s have been on Kyiv’s weapons wish list since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Lawmakers have also said the U.S. should send F-16s to Eastern European countries that transfer their old MiG fighters to Ukraine.

As previously reported, Ukraine has made an official request to the Netherlands regarding the possibility of transferring F-16 fighter aircraft.