2023-11-07 16:32:22
The Netherlands has sent the first five F-16 fighter jets to Romania, where they will be used to train Ukrainian pilots, the Dutch Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday.
With the support of the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands formalized in August their commitment to deliver up to 61 aircraft once Ukrainian pilots are trained.
The Dutch executive said the planes will first be used for a “refresher course” for hired instructors. Pilot training will come next. The aircraft will fly “only in NATO airspace”, he stressed.
The American defense group Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of F-16s, will provide training and maintenance of the fighters.
Russia continues to carry out heavy strikes on almost the entire territory of Ukraine on a daily basis.
Ukraine is particularly concerned regarding seeing Moscow launch systematic attacks on its energy infrastructure, like last winter, imposing heating and power cuts on millions of people.
To prepare, it has been asking its Western allies for several months to strengthen its air defenses.
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