Defense chief estimates timeframe for transfer of fighters to Ukraine
F-16 fighter (Photo:Ronald Brendel/flickr.com)
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov believes that Ukraine may receive fighter aircraft from partner nations in one or two months, he said during an interview with Ukrainian news outlet Babel published on Feb. 20.
The defense chief stated that Western countries are ready to transfer warplanes to Ukraine, noting that some states are already talking about their readiness to train personnel.
"As for the aircraft, I think they are ready," Reznikov said.
“Some countries are already talking about their readiness to train our crews. And when they are ready to train, it means that there are only technicalities to be resolved. My gut feeling is that this is a matter of months. And when I say months, I mean one or two.”
According to him, Ukraine will first campaign for 50 aircraft, then for 100.
"Each country can provide 10-15 aircraft, and this will not reduce their defense capability," Reznikov added.
So far, only the United Kingdom has announced its intention to start training Ukrainian pilots on Western aircraft.
The issue of transferring fighter jets to Ukraine is still under negotiation, but Western partners are open to such a step, according to statements made by a number of Western politicians.
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