Ukraine seeks fighter jets from international allies

Ukraine intends to receive two fighter squadrons of 12 combat aircraft each from its international allies in the first aid package.

Sources: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, in a commentary for El Pais news outlet; European Pravda; Yurii Ihnat in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda 

Ihnat confirmed that, in addition to the complicated political negotiations required to carry out this operation, Kyiv would not be able to rely on these aircraft on the battlefield in the short term, as it will take at least six months to train pilots and ground support teams.

Clarification: Ihnat has said in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda that Ukraine is currently not expecting fighter jets from its allies.

He has also pointed out that he did not tell the number of fixed-wing aircraft that Ukraine wants to receive, as the Spanish news outlet stated that Ihnat said Kyiv wants to get 24 interceptor jets, and explained that it was a matter of wrong translation. 

Receiving American-made F-16 jets is Ukraine’s priority. 

Earlier, Kyiv was considering the French Rafale and Swedish Gripen.

As previously reported, the Royal Air Force stands for supplying fighter jets to Ukraine after Russian troops are pushed out of Ukrainian territory.

Previously, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius spoke out against providing Ukraine with German fighter jets. "This is out of the question," he said.

Meanwhile, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said last week that the Netherlands "has no taboo" on discussing a request for F-16s if Ukraine asked for them, and the Slovak government has spoken directly about plans to give Ukraine Soviet-made MiG-29s.

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