It is by no means trivializing the Ukrainian demand for F-16 fighters. “It needs it to make the ground offensive – which Ukrainians in the West have learned about – much more effective,” she says. “It also needs them to intercept rocket attacks launched by Russian aircraft, as well as the aircraft themselves.”
“Zelensky needs F-16s”
However, the Netherlands cannot decide on its own to supply the Ukrainians with Western combat aircraft, Cobelens knows this. For this, permission will need to be obtained from the United States. “This is the case with every purchase,” explains Cobelens. “The country of origin must participate in the decision-making process. And again: if you give things, it takes more than just those things.’ For example, pilots must undergo comprehensive training to ensure effectiveness. “You can teach them to fly fast, but they also need to know when to fire a weapon at the right target at the right time,” said the former director. “And that takes time.”
Brigades
According to Cobelens, it could even be that this is already happening. The same happened with the attack brigades, which also apparently came out of nowhere. “If we explain the whole timeline on the radio, then the Russians will know too,” he continues. “So it has to remain unpredictable.”
Fighter planes can therefore arrive faster than initially thought, Cobelens thinks. Especially since Ukraine has been asking for the devices for many years. “I don’t see why it shouldn’t be,” he says. “On paper, the training could have gone on all this time.” He also thinks it’s good that Russians are presented with doubts, “they don’t like it.”