Biden will attempt to expedite deliveries of F-16s to Ukraine despite training program not being set up.

 

F-16s. Politico/AP.

The Biden administration will attempt to expedite deliveries of F-16s to Ukraine despite a needed training program not being set up. Politico. The almost 45 year old fighters are supposedly being delivered before the end of the year. However, it is unclear who would provide these fighters as most countries appear reluctant to send their planes. The US has also hesitated in setting up the training system that would be required to train Ukrainian pilots. However, even the United States admits that the jets would not be gamechangers. 

My Comment:

I will believe that the F-16 will be sent to Ukraine when it actually happens and not a minute before. As of right now it seems clear that Europe isn't exactly in a hurry to send these fighters to Ukraine and it's the same with the United States. 

A big reason why is the failure of the Ukrainian offensive. Had they actually made any kind of progress at all it would have been a lot easier to send these F-16s to Ukraine. But I think even Europe is realizing that sending good money after bad isn't a great idea. 

Another reason is that these fighters would not be able to do much. Russia has air superiority now and has a huge advantage in air defense. F-16's are a full generation behind modern fighter jets and are not going to be able to compete in the incredibly lethal combat environment. Indeed, modern Russian fighters will be able to outrange them and Russian air defenses would be able to easily shoot them out of the skies. The only way I can think of the Ukrainians using the F-16s effectively is by launching stand off munitions that can hit outside of Russia's air defense screen. And even then I would say they would face heavy casualties. 

This is another reason that everyone is reluctant to send these fighter jets. After the extreme casualties Leopard tanks and Bradly Fighting Vehicles took in the offensive, the credibility of those weapons systems has been shattered. The same thing could happen to the F-16s, which are actively being sold as an effective weapon, despite being 45 years old. 

The whole situation reminds me of the situation with Abrams tanks. Those were promised as well and they haven't shown up on the battlefield yet either. Supposedly they are being sent as well, but again, I will believe it when I see it. I just think that Europe and America finally are starting to understand that Ukraine isn't winning the war...