The Pentagon opposed the provision of F-16s to Ukraine because of the timing and cost
He noted that Ukraine's top three priorities remain air defense, artillery and armored vehicles
A senior U.S. Defense Department official has opposed providing Ukraine with F-16s and the necessary pilot training because, according to him, it would take too long, be expensive, and conflict with Ukraine's more pressing priorities.
Source. This was reported by CNN.
Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee to oversee U.S. assistance to Ukraine that it would take 18 months to provide Ukraine with 4th generation F-16 fighters and train pilots to operate them.
According to Kahl, the cost of this would quickly deplete the authorized US aid money for Ukraine, as the F-16 is not one of Kyiv's top three priorities right now.
"I just have a hard time telling any member of Congress or the American people that the best use of their dollars right now is on F-16s," Kahl said.
He noted that Ukraine's top three priorities remain air defense, artillery, and armored vehicles, which he said President Zelensky emphasized to President Biden during their meeting in Kyiv last week.
According to Kahl, the cost of sending 36 older F-16s to Ukraine, which is about half of what the US Air Force estimates Ukraine will eventually need to replace its Soviet-era fighters, would be about $2-3 billion.
He added that it would take three to six years to provide Ukraine with the new F-16s.
Kahl also said that Ukraine could receive other fighter jets, such as the British Tornado or Swedish Gripen, which require different training. He said it "doesn't make sense" to train Ukrainians in the F-16 system if they might not get it.
Background. Earlier it was reported that the United States allows the supply of 4th and 5th generation fighters to Ukraine.
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