Sending US F-16s to Ukraine far-fetched: Politico
The US expects the conflict with Russia to last for years, Politico quoted US Air Force General James Hecker as saying.
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A US Air Force F-16 fighter (Archive)
US Air Force General James Hecker believes, as cited by Politico, that if the United States decides to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, it could take two to three years for Kiev to receive them.
The commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) made the remarks during a speech at the annual Air Force Association conference on Monday.
Hecker attributed the delay to logistical and training issues, but he considered that Ukraine will receive the US-made warplanes in the future because "people are starting to think more long term," as per Politico.
Last week, the newspaper reported that the US government was considering sending F-16 fighter jets and Patriot long-range anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, expecting “the conflict with Russia to last for years”.
Throughout the war in Ukraine, Washington has increased its arms shipments, eventually agreeing to provide multi-launch rocket systems, such as HIMARS, as well as long-range artillery platforms.
However, the Pentagon has refuted sending some of its more sophisticated weapons, such as heavy armor or fighter jets, instead agreeing to facilitate transfers of Soviet-era equipment from third countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic.
