However, officials at the U.S. Department of Defense argued that F-16s were not yet necessary for the immediate fight. They have also noted that it could take up to a year or more to complete the required training to fly the aircraft.
Moreover, officials are also worried that the jets could be used to hit targets inside Russia – further escalating the conflict. Some officials have questioned the role of F-16s in the bigger offensive given the Russian ground-to-air threat.
Until the May 19 announcement, Biden faced mounting pressure to agree to the use of F-16s based in other countries – if not provide advanced American fighter jets to Ukraine. According to a senior White House official, Biden's decision will "further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force."
In February, ABC News anchor David Muir asked Biden if he thought Zelensky needed F-16s. "No, he doesn't need F-16s now," the president said at the time. The recent decision was a complete 180 from Biden's earlier stance.
This wasn't the first time the White House changed its decision over the issue of sending military aid to Kyiv. Prior to fighter jets, the Biden administration changed its mind and deployed M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine. The Messenger also noted that it was also the same case with America's decision to send Patriot missile interceptors to the country. Head over to MilitaryTech.news for more stories about U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Watch this footage of a Russian SU-35 fighter jet in action, which is the reason why the Ukrainians need F-16s. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.North Korea’s first-ever spy satellite crashes into sea shortly after launch
By Arsenio Toledo // Share
GONE WOKE: Chick-fil-A embraces woke agenda, names VP for diversity, equity and inclusion
By Belle Carter // Share
Nolte: AP claims, without evidence, Target boycotts became ‘violent’ — then stealth-edits story
By News Editors // Share
Groundbreaking study: Almonds reverse prediabetes better than pharmaceuticals
By newseditors // Share
Trump's new frontier: Water barriers signal shift in border strategy
By willowt // Share
Trump administration restricts free speech with new censorship measures
By finnheartley // Share
US halts military aid to Ukraine: Kiev's surrender is near
By ljdevon // Share