Zelenskyy: Ukraine Needs 2.5 Times More F-16s in the Air at Once
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine must raise the number of F-16 jets airborne at one time by 2.5 times, as the aircraft frequently need maintenance. He also asked European countries to share part of their PAC-2 and PAC-3 missile stocks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that Ukraine needs to increase the number of US-made F-16 fighter jets in the air at any one time to two and a half times the current level. The reason, he explained, is that the aircraft are frequently in maintenance. He spoke to journalists, as reported by European Pravda citing the agency Interfax-Ukraine.
According to Zelenskyy, the planes exist on paper, but they are constantly being serviced because the F-16s are no longer new. He added that Kyiv must work with the Americans on the issue and that this work is under way.
Request to Europe
The president said a multilateral meeting of a group of Ukraine's supporters discussed how many PAC-2 and PAC-3 air-defence missiles European countries hold. Ukraine has asked them to consider handing over a share of those stocks. Zelenskyy acknowledged the matter is difficult and stressed that Kyiv is genuinely asking for help. Ukraine is also urgently requesting more F-16s, though their use is limited because the jets are ageing.
Ramstein format
Zelenskyy said he will join next week's meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, online.
Earlier reports
Belgium plans to send three F-16 jets to Ukraine this year once France approves the agreement. Zelenskyy has previously said that roughly half of Ukraine's F-16s spend long periods in Europe undergoing repairs and maintenance.
