F-16s Arriving in Ukraine by Year-end, Jets not enough to Change War Situation: Kirby

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, John Kirby, said F-16s are not enough to change the situation in Ukraine, as it requires more of other weaponry such as artillery and tanks.

He also said Ukraine’s air forces will receive F-16 combat jets by the end of the year.

“F-16s will arrive in Ukraine, most likely, by the end of the year,” Kirby told on Fox News.

Kirby said Ukraine would need more weapons to turn the tide in its favor. “We do not believe that only the F-16s will be able to change the situation… What they really need is artillery, ammunition, air defense and armored vehicles, tanks,” he said.

A coalition of 11 countries (Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the UK) will start training Ukrainian pilots on how to fly F-16s in August.

Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff will take part in the training program.