The supply of modern US combat aircraft, in particular F-16 multi-role fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters, will help not only in protecting the skies of Ukraine, but will also significantly influence the course of the war.

So far, no decision has been taken on the provision of equipment.

Washington fears that the aircraft may attack targets on the territory of Russia.

In response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's call for F-16 fighter jets, American senators, like Republicans.

as well as Democrats, called on the White House and allies to increase support for the Ukrainian state by providing it with American F-16 and Polish MiG-29 fighter jets.

This was reported by "Voice of America".

James Stavridis, former commander-in-chief of NATO forces in the EU, also called for the transfer of F-16 fighters.

At the same time, Washington decided not to provide F-16s to Ukraine yet.

"So far, there is nothing to announce regarding the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine," the Pentagon said.

One of the possible options for the supply of American fighter jets to Ukraine is the re-export of aircraft by the member states of the European Union.

Ukrainian military experts assessed the potential benefit of Western aviation in Ukraine.

How many American fighter jets does Ukraine need?

spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine  , reported on

 at least two squadrons of American F-16 fighter jets.

"The F-16 is the most common aircraft in the world and the most realistic option for Ukraine, so it will be easier to get it. (...) We should probably start with one or two squadrons," he said. 

The squadron has 12 aircraft.

How long does it take to train pilots?

Andriy Ryzhenko, an expert of the Center for Defense Strategies, captain of the 1st rank of the reserve of the Navy of Ukraine, noted that for the retraining of Ukrainian pilots, given their extensive experience, it takes much less time than if they started training from scratch.

"Perhaps, it will take several months. I think that the General Staff of the Ministry of Defense will solve this issue, and it will significantly strengthen our capabilities both in defense and offensive," he added.

Are there similar planes in Russia?

Military expert 

believes that Russian planes cannot withstand direct combat with the F-16.

According to him, F-16 are fighters, they are called "4+" or "4++" generation aircraft.

"Russia has similar fighters with the same characteristics - Su-34, Su-35, which belong to this generation. There are a number of small differences in tactical and technical characteristics, more precisely, in the ability to conduct a battle. But the fact is that in The United States has a lot of such aircraft, but in Russia there are not many of these Su-34 and Su-35, let's say frankly - there are few of them, and their number is calculated by dozens," said the expert.

Where in Ukraine can military aircraft be located

According to the military-political observer Oleksandr Kovalenko, there are no airfields in Ukraine to accommodate Western types of aviation.

He noted that Apache attack helicopters would be very useful in the war.

At the same time, he noted that it may not necessarily be Apache, but, for example, Viper.

"As an option, the Viper is also a pretty good helicopter that can provide fire support in offensive operations, and not only that," Kovalenko added.

He explained that on the territory of Ukraine there is still no appropriate infrastructure that could accommodate Western-style aircraft at its airfields. 

The day before, it became known that 

Let us add that Slovakia is preparing a decision on the transfer of Soviet-style aircraft and tanks.

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