United States has approved the possible sale of F-16 training, support and modernization services to Ukraine

The U.S. Department of State has approved the possible sale of training, support and modernization services for F-16s and related equipment to Ukraine. The estimated value of the deal is $310.5 million.

This is told in a statement by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The Government of Ukraine has issued a request for procurement, which will include the following items: aircraft modification and modernization; training related to operation, maintenance and support; supply of spare parts and consumables; repair services; and ground equipment.

In addition, it is planned to supply and maintain classified and unclassified software, technical documentation, research, and surveys. It also includes engineering and technical work by the U.S. government and contractors, and the provision of engineering, technical and logistics services to the U.S. government and contractors.

“This sale will advance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by strengthening the security of a partner country that is a driver of political stability and economic progress in Europe. The proposed sale will increase Ukraine’s ability to counter current and future threats by providing effective pilot training and enhancing interoperability with the United States through comprehensive training with the US Air Force,” the department said.

The agreed possible sale is in line with the international coalition’s contribution to the development of Ukraine’s F-16 program and the overall modernization of the Ukrainian Air Force.

The main contractors will be Valiant Integrated Services, Top Aces Corporation, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Pratt and Whitney, Snap-on, BAE Systems, AAR Corporation and Comsetra.

It is worth noting that the permit is currently only for a possible sale. That is, Ukraine may negotiate and enter into actual contracts with the listed companies for the list of services provided for in the permit within a certain amount.

As a reminder, the United States has recently handed over a batch of F-16 fighter jet fuselages to Ukraine for disassembly into spare parts.

The aircraft were stored at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, home to one of the largest aircraft storage bases, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Repair Group. From there, they were transported by an An-124-100M Ruslan transport aircraft to a logistics hub in Poland.

The fuselages transferred to Ukraine do not have engines, radars, avionics and other key systems. Accordingly, they cannot be restored for combat use, but can be used as a source of spare parts, for training, or as models.

The U.S. Air Force refused to disclose the exact number of aircraft transferred and their modifications.