US Approves Sale of Air Defense System to Ukraine, as Netherlands Offers F-16 Training Program

Russia and Ukraine

On Wednesday, the United States announced the approval of the $285 million sale of a “NASAMS” air defense system and related equipment to Ukraine, which is seeking to bolster its defenses against Russian strikes.

“Ukraine has an urgent need to increase its defense capabilities against Russian missile strikes and aircraft,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

She added that the acquisition and deployment of this system “will enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend its people and protect critical national infrastructure.”

The statement added that the sale would not require the assignment of any U.S. government-contracted employees or contractors to work in Ukraine.

Ukrainian army on the front lines

The State Department approved the sale, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday provided the required notification to Congress, which must approve the sale.

Countries including the United States, which supports Ukraine in its battle against Russian forces, have donated military equipment worth tens of billions of dollars to Kiev, but the latest agreement will be in the form of a sale.

Ukrainian air defenses played a major role in protecting the country from strikes and preventing Russian forces from controlling its airspace.

When Russia launched its military operation in February 2022, Ukraine’s air defenses consisted largely of Soviet-era planes and batteries.

But Kiev has since greatly bolstered its arsenal, thanks to Western support, which has included units of the Nasams.

Training of Ukrainians on the F-16

In another context, Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Olungren said in a letter to parliament on Wednesday that the Netherlands wants to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters as soon as possible.

Olungren added that the training would be coordinated with Belgium, Denmark and the United Kingdom and that other countries could join.

F-16 fighter (archive)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that training Ukrainian pilots on Western F-16 fighters would not make the alliance a party to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Senior Russian diplomats said on Monday that sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine would raise the question of NATO’s role in the conflict.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden approved training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured Biden that the planes would not be used to storm Russian territory.

The West says it wants to help Ukraine defeat Russia, but has repeatedly stressed that it does not seek direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

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