The Pentagon announced the U.S. military will be helping Ukraine learn how to operate F-16 fighter jets.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed Thursday that Ukraine is receiving training for the use of F-16s in aerial combat. However, defense officials cautioned that catching Ukraine up on the aircraft technology will not be a “magic” fix to the war.
“There are no magic weapons,” said Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
He added, “The Russians have a thousand fourth and fifth-generation fighters, so if you’re going to contest Russia in the air, you’re going to need a substantial amount of fourth and fifth-generation fighters.”
UKRAINE SET TO RECEIVE LONG-RANGE CRUISE MISSILES FROM THE UK: ‘WE WILL NOT STAND BY’
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivers a statement to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries headquarters near the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images)
“We expect more countries to join this important initiative,” Austin said.
The defense secretary went on to call the initiative “an important example of our long-term commitment to Ukraine security.”
The U.K. government has said the country will not provide aircraft for battle, but it has committed to help train Ukrainian pilots.
“[Ukrainians] need the sustained support of the international community to defend against the barrage of unrelenting and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for over a year,” the prime minister said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Biden shake hands at Mariinsky Palace on an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Evan Vucci/Pool via REUTERS)
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