While deliveries of the F-16 have not even been completed, Ukraine has its eyes on another fighter jet: they are asking Britain and Germany to deliver the Eurofighter Typhoon. Britain and Germany themselves do not have the F-16, but they do have a fighter developed in Europe.

According to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Reznikov, by supplying the Eurofighter Typhoon, Germany and Britain can still contribute to the coalition of countries that must provide Ukraine with modern fighter jets. So far, Ukraine has only Soviet-era MiGs in its arsenal. Poland and Slovakia have also supplied Ukraine with MiGs from their stockpile.

For now, the UK and Germany are unwilling to make any promises. The plane will be of little use to Ukraine in the short term, as training to fly it takes a long time. Nevertheless, it would be a “significant step” if Germany and Britain did deliver, according to Reznikov.

The same argument about long training durations is used with the F-16. But recently, the G7 summit in Japan produced a breakthrough, when the US said it would no longer stand in the way. As the country where the F-16 is being developed, the US must grant permission to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16. The Netherlands is one of the countries that will train pilots.

However, concrete commitments for delivery of the device have yet to be made. The Netherlands is also one of the allies on which Ukraine has pinned its hopes.

Joram Bolle