Ukraine thinks that it needs fast-jets and one particular aircraft type is in its sights: the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Jon Lake explains the situation and evaluates why this aspiration may go largely unfulfilled and why that may not be a disaster.
Ukraine has stepped up its calls for the supply of modern Western fighter aircraft. This is not a new request; Ukraine has been pleading for fighters since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. While it has secured the supply of anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), ground-based air defences (GBADs) and, more recently, main battle tanks; new fighters are now at the very top of Ukraine’s ‘wish-list’.
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