The Netherlands and the UK will work together to speed up the delivery of F-16s and training of Ukrainian pilots. Both countries announced this during a Council of Europe summit in Iceland. Q66 Member of Parliament Sjoerdsma sees training sessions starting “rather today than tomorrow”, but according to Patrick Bolder, a defense specialist at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague, pressure on the US must be increased in the first instance.
According to Bolder, the F-16 coalition of the Netherlands and the UK will initially have a diplomatic role. “To do that, you need a lot of pressure on President Biden.” The country that produces weapons must give permission for the export of such weapons. This discussion also played a role in the delivery of tanks.
Workouts
If the United States agrees, pilots and technicians will have to be trained. “It will take some time,” thinks Bolder. Because the infrastructure must also be good, like the slopes which must be ‘good, long and smooth’. That’s why, according to Bolder, it’s important that workouts start as early as possible.
D66 MP Sjoerd Sjoerdsma agreed. “So that when the political decision is made to actually deliver them, or if the United States gives permission, they can be flown immediately.”
“These steps would never be taken without knowing that this will happen sooner or later”
Far stage
According to Sjoerdsma, talks about delivering the F-16s are well advanced. French President Macron says he already wants to participate in training, and the Belgians are also ready. “If you speak so openly, it means things are changing in Washington,” Sjoerdsma thinks. “These steps would never be taken without knowing that this will happen sooner or later.”
However, the Americans are reluctant to supply long-range weapons and fighter jets, for fear of an even bigger conflict between Russia and NATO. Even the Americans had that hesitation in supplying tanks. The fact that an agreement has also been reached on this makes Bolder suspect that the F-16s ‘will come’ too. “There are still a lot of kinks on it.”
Years after
According to Bolder, it could take up to a year for F-16s to start flying. “It’s complex,” he says. The problem is not the pilots, but the weapon systems. ‘To be able to make it work, with all the computers and what you can hang below and above. It really takes time.’
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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.
