The United States will supply Ukraine with additional equipment and support for F-16 fighters

The United States is going to sell Ukraine equipment and services related to F-16 fighters. The package approved by the State Department includes a possible transmission of the aircraft themselves, their refinement and modernization, the training of the Ukrainian military, the supply of spare parts, the equipment for maintenance, software, technical documentation and other logistics support.

According to the American side, this package will help Ukraine better defend itself from current and future threats. He will also improve the preparation of Ukrainian pilots and simplify the joint work of the Armed Forces with US forces. At the same time, Washington believes that the transfer of these aircraft will not change the general military balance in the region.

The notification of the planned sale was sent to the US Congress on May 2, 2025. The amount of the transaction is 310.5 million dollars. Delivery will be held according to the FMS military sales intergovernmental program.

This is the first major message about the supply of weapons to Ukraine from the United States after Donald Trump became president. It is not yet clear at whose expense the package will be paid - it is possible that funds can be used from the previously approved assistance from the Biden administration.

On April 30, it also became known that the Trump administration permit exports to Ukraine of defense goods for $ 50 million according to direct commercial sales scheme - that is, directly from the manufacturer.

The transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine is coordinated by the United States and NATO countries. The decision on deliveries was made in 2023, at the same time a coalition was created from 15 countries, headed by the Netherlands and Denmark. The training of Ukrainian pilots takes place in these countries, as well as in the USA, Norway and Romania.

Ukraine should receive 85 modernized aircraft: 24 - from the Netherlands, 19 - from Denmark, 30 - from Belgium (since 2026), 12 combat and 10 for spare parts - from Norway. In 2024, 20 fighters were transferred, in 2025 it is expected to 35. It is already known about two lost the Armed Forces of Ukraine F-16. In addition, the United States handed over to Ukraine six decommissioned F-16ADF for analysis for spare parts.