How many jets does Ukraine have? Netherlands and Denmark to donate F-16s
The etherlands and Denmark said they will provide up to 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once pilot training has been successfully completed.
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been visiting both nations following months of appeals to strengthen the Ukrainian air force.
Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, announced that her country would donate 19 jets: “hopefully” six around the beginning of the year, eight more the following year, and the final five in 2025.
The Dutch have not given a specific number, although Mark Rutte, the prime minister of the Netherlands, did note that the country has 42 in its air force. The nation was already in the midst of swapping them out with more modern F-35s built in the US.
Reznikov informed Ukrainian media last week that training for the F-16 had started and mentioned that a number of Ukrainian engineers and technicians were also receiving training.
Previously, Ukraine revealed that it will not be able to operate the US-made F-16 fighter jets this coming autumn and winter due to a lack of training.
An air force spokesperson revealed the news during a telethon broadcast by Ukrainian television channels, adding: “We had big hopes for this plane, that it will become part of air defence, able to protect us from Russia’s missiles and drones terrorism.”
In March, the country had announced that Poland had agreed to send Kyiv heavy weaponry, taking a leading position among Nato partners.
Here is a look at how many jets Ukraine is estimated to have, what Poland promised to send over, and the countries that are helping to arm Ukraine.
How many jets does Ukraine have?
According to Forbes, Ukrainians had around 105 MiG-29s, Su-24s, and Su-25s before the Russians attacked — and, a year later, still have around 105 of these types.
It is estimated Ukraine still has up to 50 Su-27s. Forbes claims these might be Ukraine’s most useful jets as they are fast, manoeuvrable, and flexible.
How many jets is Poland sending?
Poland had promised Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets, which had been inherited from the former German Democratic Republic.
The German government approved Poland’s request in mid-April, with the defence minister Boris Pistorius saying: “I welcome the fact that we, in the federal government, have reached this decision together.”
Even before Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland was one of the loudest opponents of the Russian leadership in Europe.
It is one of the few Nato countries that by law is required to meet its two per cent of GDP defence spending commitment and is an active member of the European defence community.
Deploying MiGs is not out of the ordinary for Poland, and it fully complies with its Nato membership. That might alter the dynamic inside the alliance, serving as a stimulus for more nations to do so, or it might enrage nations like Hungary, who are against Nato getting more involved in the fight.