NATO to meet on June 15, to deliberate upon giving F-16 to Ukraine

An important turn is expected soon in the Russian-Ukrainian war. A decision on the F-16s is expected to be made at a NATO meeting scheduled for June 15 at Germany's Ramstein Air Base.

At the NATO meeting, there will be a detailed discussion about how many F-16s Ukraine needs, which of the members will give these F-16s and how many they can offer. They will also discuss how they will train Ukrainian pilots, engineers and other technicians. They will also discuss when these F-16s can take to the skies over Ukraine.

Ukraine has been demanding F-16 aircraft for a long time. The United States and some other friendly countries have already agreed to provide F16s to the war-torn country. The training of the first group of Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16 in European countries has begun. At the meeting in Germany, it should be clear when the F16s will be delivered to Ukraine.

Ukrainian air defense is very weak
Ukraine's air defenses have been severely damaged as a result of continuous bombing by the Russian Air Force. On May 16, an entire battery of the American Patriot air defense system was destroyed in the country's capital, Kyiv. Russia also claimed to have damaged the Patriot's second battery in the follow-up attack.

Due to constant missile and drone attacks from Russia, most of Ukraine's air defense capabilities are destroyed. Previously, Ukraine claimed to have shot down all Russian drones and missiles that were fired at Kiev and other cities, but in its latest statements, Kiev says that many Russian drones and missiles were able to hit their targets.

How useful would the F-16 be in combat?
There is no doubt that Ukraine's air defenses will be strengthened when it gets the F-16s, but how useful these fighters would be against the vast Russian air fleet is still a question. Russia has fourth and fifth generation fighters. Russian fighter pilots are very experienced in using their MiG and Sukhoi aircraft.

NATO has begun training Ukrainian pilots, but it may be a long time before they become experts in flying the F-16. Many fighter pilots from European countries volunteered to help pilots from Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia has been targeting Ukraine's air bases, so it will be a challenge for Ukraine to fly F-16s from those bases.