The decision of Germany, the United States and other countries to put main battle tanks into service Ukraine It actually went further than expected several months ago.
Western nations showing solidarity and wanting to resist a new Russian offensive It has cast aside fears that more advanced weapons could risk provoking President Vladimir. Russia’s Putin
When a vehicle is checked off the list Ukrainian leaders have renewed a public appeal for Western fighters.
“I sent a wish list card to Santa Claus last year. and fighter planes as well. [were] Also included in this wish list,” Defense Secretary Oleksii Reznikov told CNN this week.
In public, Western leaders omitted discussions of fighter jets to Ukraine. And they are not on the official agenda of the meeting between Ukraine and its allies in Ramstein. Germany last week
But while last year The Pentagon’s press secretary announced the delivery of the fighter jet. “Increasing abilities a little But it’s very risky. say They “are not ruling or outside any particular system,” including the F-16.
The Netherlands also raised eyebrows last week. When its foreign minister told a member of parliament who asked about the F-16, “When it comes to what the Netherlands can provide There will be no restrictions.”
F-16, First developed in the 1970s as a highly maneuverable fighter aircraft. It can carry six air-to-air or air-to-surface missiles under its wings. But countries such as Bahrain and Jordan continue to buy again.
Lockheed Martin, the current fighter manufacturer, has acknowledged its chief operating officer, Frank St. John, admitted to the Financial Times this week that it had “A lot of talk about third-party transfers of the F-16” and new iterations of the F-16 that just entered production can help. Satisfy potential needs
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