After tanks, Ukraine wants 24 fighter jets from allies: Air Force
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force says Kiev aims to receive 24 fighter jets from its allies as part of a new military aid package.
Colonel Yurii Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Kiev intends to obtain 24 F-16 fighter jets from its international allies.
"Two battalions with 12 combat aircraft each. This is the new military aid package that the Ukrainian army intends to obtain from its international allies," Ihnat told the Spanish newspaper, El Pais.
The Ukrainian spokesperson indicated that the Air Force's priority is to receive US-made F-16s, although Kiev considers other options such as Swedish Gripen and French Rafale.
Ihnat pointed out that "The 24 fighters — ideally they should be American F-16s — would represent only an urgent first phase in a new chapter in the delivery of weapons to Ukraine."
Demands, expectations, dictates: Zelensky now after missiles, jets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky considered on Wednesday that the West must provide Kiev with jets and long-range missiles in order to help the fight against Russia.
Zelensky stressed that his country needs jets to be able to repel Russia's forces. "This is a dream. And this is a task," he said.
His statement came directly after the United States and Germany announced that they will send their most advanced main battle tanks to Ukraine, the US-made M1 Abrams and the Leopard 2.
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