Dutch, Denmark F-16s to enter combat in Ukraine

Pilots will first have to undertake 6 months of training on the aircraft

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THE United States has given its approval for the Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, officials in Washington and Europe said on Friday, in a major gain for Kyiv.

It was not immediately clear when the first F-16s might enter the conflict, but Ukrainian pilots will first have to undertake at least six months of training on the aircraft.

However, Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of US air forces in Europe and Africa, said he did not expect the F-16s to be a game-changer for Ukraine. Getting F-16 squadrons ready for battle could take "four or five years," he said.