Ukraine has expressed concerns that the American-made F-16 fighter jets, scheduled to arrive this summer, are arriving too late to be of strategic relevance, with a preference now for hard currency over such military assets. Senior Ukrainian military officials have stated that the jets, initially seen as a significant boost for Kyiv's defense capabilities, are now considered 'no longer relevant' due to the evolving nature of the conflict and Russia's adapting air defenses. The sentiment reflects a broader frustration with the timing of Western military aid, with officials noting that weapons deliveries have consistently lagged behind the immediate needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The first batch of F-16s was expected in July, but there is a growing consensus in Kyiv that what is now urgently needed are shells and rockets, not these fighter jets, which were deemed necessary in 2023. This perspective has been echoed by various sources, including a high-ranking officer who highlighted to Politico the mismatch between the timing of weapon deliveries and the dynamic requirements of the battlefield.
Ukraine’s top brass believe Western F-16s no longer relevant – Politico Russia’s military has already been testing countermeasures against the fighter jets, the outlet reported https://t.co/WMXbCNrOgI https://t.co/0OK2ZEiBZ9
Republican blames Biden administration for having 'no plan' or 'coherent strategy' on Ukraine after Kyiv said U.S. F-16 jets were 'no longer relevant' because they needed them a YEAR ago https://t.co/7ywtbyCnKR https://t.co/eUYzYV25yA
War: Ukraine no longer wants/needs US F-16s. Instead they just want hard currency. Ukraine needs cold hard cash. It is basically impossible to turn an F-16 into cash. https://t.co/El0HbTRSCe
Ukraine rues missed F-16 opportunity https://t.co/mU8d1Rdeui https://t.co/iLg3YptQ5n
🚨Kyiv high-ranking officer says the US F-16 jets expected to arrive in Ukraine 'are no longer relevant' 'Every weapon has its right time. We needed them in 2023, they're not right for 2024. We need shells and rockets' Ukrainian high-ranking officer These F-16s were seen as a… https://t.co/WZlP5Ozb4K
US F-16 jets due to arrive in Ukraine 'are no longer relevant', Kyiv military official says: 'Every weapon has its right time. We needed them in 2023, they're not right for 2024. We need shells and rockets' https://t.co/F1zJ64AHWF https://t.co/ecwWrg0taq
Russia's adapting air defenses means Ukraine's new F-16s are an example of weapons that are 'no longer relevant:' senior Ukrainian officer https://t.co/bnGLLNgt0U
The West is late with deliveries of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine This was reported by a high-ranking officer of the AFU to the Politico publication on condition of anonymity: "Every weapon has its time. F-16s were needed in 2023; they will not be suitable for 2024," he said. https://t.co/b0edqRQvPG
The West keeps sending Ukraine weapons so late they 'are no longer relevant,' a senior officer says https://t.co/AWLU6FUNR4
F-16s are already late for the front, they believe in Kyiv In July, Ukraine should receive the first batch of American-made F-16 fighters. But some representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces insist that, contrary to the expectations of Western military analysts, these… https://t.co/H9GvgL2pBp
American-made F-16 fighter jets due to arrive in Ukraine this summer are “no longer relevant”, a senior Ukrainian military official has said Read more here👇 https://t.co/4ZtK4Czl15
https://t.co/LSCDJigVBx Ukraine says that Russian air defense neutralizes F-16s before they're delivered.