Supplying F-16 jets to Ukraine won’t win the war, but adds new causes of concern for Russia
The Netherlands has been mooted as one possible source of F16s for Ukraine, and the Dutch have already affirmed their commitment to training pilots. (Photo: USAF)
While the question of which Western fighter jet will be ultimately sent to Ukraine now seems settled, how much effect will the F-16’s presence have on the conflict?
The war in Ukraine continues its relentlessly grim march, and what had previously been considered several ‘red lines’ have been breached with little consequence.
Ukraine has received a large complement of precision artillery, new air defence systems, main battle tanks and thousands of shells.
However, when this author first broached the topic in Shephard’s Decisive Edge - Air Warfare newsletter in March, one item that seemed a long way from certain was new fighter aircraft.
It was suggested that the F-16 represented the most likely candidate for transfer, but this had encountered US concern as to the potential diplomatic effect that such an
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