Ukraine to get Typhoon fighter jets only after the war – Wallace
British fighter Typhoon (Photo:gov.uk)
Ukraine will be able to get modern Typhoon fighters only after the end of the war, UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in an interview with German news weekly Der Spiegel on Feb. 18.
Wallace emphasized that there will be no quick deliveries of fighter jets.
“Let’s be honest, it will be a long time before anyone delivers fighter jets to Ukraine,” said Wallace.
“Moreover, modern aircraft, such as the Eurofighter, which we call Typhoon in the UK, will be delivered to Kyiv only after the end of the conflict. This is the consensus among Western partners.”
However, Wallace said Ukraine’s allies are ready “to take this step at some point.”
Wallace also warned against inflated expectations regarding the recently adopted decision to supply tanks to Ukraine.
“Of course, tanks will make the Ukrainians stronger, but this is not a magic potion that changes everything from day to day,” the defense secretary said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his visit to London on Feb. 8, called for the transfer of British fighter jets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called on the country’s authorities to provide Typhoon aircraft and more Challenger 2 tanks to the Armed Forces. However, Wallace has dismissed these calls by ex-prime minister as “unrealistic”.
Wallace responded by saying that instead of urgently transferring planes to Kyiv, London would focus on “alternative methods” that would help cover Ukraine from the air, including long-range missiles and drones.
Meanwhile, British instructors will begin training Ukrainian pilots.
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