Ukraine “seriously” needs the West to supply “up to five brigades” with F-16 fighter jets to replace its current Soviet-era fleet because the technology is “inferior,” a Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told French TV channel La Chaîne Info that the reception of the F-16s would allow them to attack both ground and air targets, which could prove crucial if the next Russian attack. offensive begins in the spring.
He said: “We are inferior in technology. So the need is great. It is necessary to create up to five brigades of tactical aviation with one type of Western model multipurpose aircraft. Which type it will be is now being determined.
“Currently, the F-16 is the most likely candidate to replace the old Soviet aircraft, because there are certain objective reasons for it. And that is not a one-man business, there is continuous consultation with partners.”
He added: “Obviously we can’t get everything all at once, but a phased transition to a new multi-purpose aircraft is a requirement of time.”