Washington approves support package for Ukraine
The U.S. Department of State has approved the sale of equipment and training related to F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine for $310 million (428 million CAD). This is the first such move since Donald Trump took office.
What do you need to know?
- What does the package include? Ukraine has ordered modifications and upgrades for F-16s, training for pilots and service technicians, spare parts, and repair support. The total cost is $310 million.
- Why is it important? This is the first officially approved new equipment package for Ukraine during Donald Trump’s presidency, although the F-16 airplanes themselves are not part of this transaction.
- What are the limitations? The U.S. has not provided F-16 aircraft to Ukraine but only supports the maintenance of those delivered by Europe by supplying non-operational F-16s for parts.
What are the details of the transaction?
According to the DSCA statement, the package ordered by Ukraine includes modifications and upgrades for F-16s, training for pilots and service personnel, spare parts, repair support, and software. The total cost is estimated at $310 million (428 million CAD).
Although the package does not include the aircraft themselves, it is the first officially approved new equipment package for Ukraine during Donald Trump’s presidency. The president’s administration had provided aid approved under President Biden, with a week-long pause following a dispute between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
The U.S. does not provide F-16 aircraft, only their parts
While the U.S. has not delivered F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, other countries like the Netherlands and Denmark have already done so. American support involves providing non-operational F-16s for parts, which helps maintain the aircraft delivered by Europe. A U.S. Air Force spokesperson stressed that these F-16s have been retired from active use and are not flight-capable.
An Air Force representative noted that the retired F-16s lack key components like engines or radar, making them inoperable. Nevertheless, their parts can be valuable to Ukraine for maintaining previously transferred aircraft.
