D66 already wants to train Ukrainian Air Force pilots to fly an F-16. The Netherlands cannot yet supply the fighter planes, because permission from the United States is needed first. However, D66 Member of Parliament Sjoerd Sjoerdsma does not want to waste time, as has already happened before in training Leopard tank crews.
“It is imperative that Ukraine gets F-16s to change the momentum of the war. Not only must Russia be stopped, but Ukraine must also go on the offensive,” says the deputy.
Waste of time
According to Sjoerdsma, when the Leopard tanks were delivered, it was found that it took a long time for a decision to be made, and “a lot of time” was lost. “To avoid that if a decision is made later, I say: let’s train now and preferably with allies.”
“It is imperative that Ukraine gets F-16s to change the momentum of the war.”
Sjoerdsma is less enthusiastic about the second option in which Eastern European allies like Poland receive F-16s, which in turn deliver their old Russian planes to Ukraine. “This is plan B. Many of our Ukrainian partners say they have those planes and they are inferior to what the Russians are flying. We need to get rid of that vulnerability, we need really advanced devices for that.’
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Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
