Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, announced on Wednesday that despite having "high hopes" for American-made F-16 fighter jets to safeguard their airspace, Ukraine will not be receiving these aircraft during the upcoming fall or winter seasons, APA reports citing RepublicWorld.
"Unfortunately, it is already clear that we will not be able to protect Ukraine with F-16s throughout the fall and this winter," Sputnik quoted Ignat during a marathon of all-Ukrainian broadcasters. "There were high hopes for these aircraft, that these could really become part of the air defence."
Highlighting progress on the matter, the spokesperson said that Ukrainian pilots would soon undergo training to operate the aircraft. Additionally, Ignat stressed the importance of enhancing Ukraine's defensive capabilities against drone assaults. He expressed his belief that fortifying the country's air defenses is imperative.
Earlier, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov articulated the military's requirement for aircraft, with a preference for F-16 fighter jets, capable of functioning as integral components of their air defence system and possessing the ability to engage ground targets if the situation demands.
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