Ukraine states the number of F-16 fighter jets needed to counter Russia.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense believes that the country needs to acquire 48 US-made F-16 fighter jets to repel Russian forces on the battlefield.

"Four squadrons of F-16s with a total of 48 aircraft are exactly what we need to push the enemy out of our territory," the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense posted on Twitter on May 26.

US F-16 fighter jets deployed to Poland in 2016. Photo: USAF

The statement came a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Denmark and the Netherlands had "decided to take the lead" in developing a plan to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets, with several other countries also pledging support.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley suggested that countries could transfer 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, an effort that would cost approximately $2 billion. "It would take a billion dollars to purchase these fighters, and maintaining their operation would cost another billion dollars," he said.

When asked whether the U.S. Congress would provide funding for Ukraine to receive F-16 fighter jets, Secretary Austin said, "This is an international effort." Meanwhile, General Milley and other U.S. military leaders affirmed that modern fighter jets are not the key to Ukraine changing the course of the conflict. "There is no such thing as a magic weapon, the F-16 or any weapon for that matter," he said.

The F-16 multirole fighter jet, developed by General Dynamics since the 1970s, is used by the United States and numerous allies. Each F-16 costs approximately $30-35 million depending on the variant, but customers may pay more or less based on the number ordered, economic and political conditions, and other factors.

White House officials said on May 20 that President Joe Biden is committed to supporting allies and partners in training pilots and delivering F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The coalition of countries participating in this effort "will decide when the fighters will be delivered, the quantity, and the supplier."

The decision is considered particularly important because allies need Washington's approval to re-export US-made weapons and military equipment to third countries.

Vu Anh (According to Ukrainska Pravda )

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