The U.S. government has authorized the potential sale of a new support package for the Ukrainian Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets, amounting to an investment of $266.4 million, with the goal of ensuring the operability of aircraft donated by various European allies in recent months. The U.S. Department of State reported the decision to Congress through an official statement issued yesterday.
Delving into the details of the potential purchase, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) outlined a package that includes the acquisition of Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS), AN/PYQ-10 (SKL) simple key loaders, and various spare parts to maintain Ukraine’s F-16 fleet. Additionally, it involves the procurement of weapons software, technical documentation, and training for personnel operating the U.S.-made aircraft.
Regarding the transaction, the DSCA stated: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe (…) This proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s ability to address current and future threats, equipping it to carry out self-defense and regional security missions with a stronger air defense capability. Ukraine will have no difficulty incorporating these items and services into its armed forces.”
The DSCA also disclosed that three contractors will be involved in the transaction: the Belgian company Sabena (based in Charleroi), Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (based in Fort Worth, Texas), and Pratt & Whitney (based in East Hartford, Connecticut). Moreover, it clarified that no industrial compensation agreements are expected to be negotiated, nor will U.S. representatives need to be deployed to Ukraine.
Finally, it is worth noting that this military assistance package from the U.S. to Ukraine coincides with the announcement of a larger batch costing approximately $988 million. This broader effort is coordinated through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). In this context, the U.S. government detailed plans to supply unmanned aerial systems (UAS), munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and various supplies for the maintenance of armored vehicles and artillery systems used by the Ukrainian Army.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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