Ukraine Receiving F-16s, JDAMs?

Ukraine could be on way to receiving F-16 aircraft and Join direct attack munition (JDAM) guided bombs to help attack Russian positions from the air.

Industry officials told Bloomberg that the U.S. is providing Ukraine with a long-range GPS-guided bomb, capable of hitting targets 72 km away.

Patriot SAMs and Boeing’s JDAMs could come as part of a $1.85 billion aid package announced by the Pentagon in December. They were designated as “precision aerial munitions.”

Pentagon spokeswoman Kelly Flynn mentioned that the U.S. would not identify the munitions for operational security reasons.

Ukraine will need aircraft suitable to carry advanced guided and air-launched munitions such as JDAMs. Reports say that the U.S. is considering supplying F-16 aircraft. Training of Ukrainian pilots in the U.S. has reportedly begun.

A Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson said in January that a new type of combat aircraft to be delivered to Ukraine has been determined.

“Our military pilots went to the United States, funds were allocated for the training of our pilots,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat said, according to ArmyInform an information agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (MoD). “The type of aircraft, which is likely to be provided to Ukraine, and the corresponding terms of [personnel] training have already been determined.”

The official did not say which aircraft had been selected or offer any timeline for delivery or training, but observers speculate it to be the F-16.

Ignat had previously told the Air Force Magazine that two 12-aircraft squadrons of F-16s, plus reserves, would be sufficient to help turn the tables against Russian airpower. At least 30 Ukrainian pilots with sufficient English-language skills are ready to travel to the U.S. for fighter pilot training along with the corresponding engineers and maintenance teams, he added.

Significantly, the issue of supplying combat aircraft was not publicly raised during President Joe Biden’s hush hush visit to Kyiv last week. Combat aircraft has been a key demand of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Neither side made any comment regarding combat aircraft when the two leaders met indicating some behind-the-scene developments on the issue.