According to the French newspaper Le Monde, Ukraine has so far received around 70 F-16 fighter jets from international partners including Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece. The deliveries are part of efforts to bolster the country's defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict.

The first deliveries began in August 2024, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrival of the first F-16s. However, he noted that this number was not enough and called for more deliveries. Western allies promised to provide Ukraine with 90 such aircraft, but their delivery is spread over several years. By the end of 2024, according to The Economist, the Ukrainian army had 20 F-16 fighters in service. The remaining aircraft are expected to be delivered during 2025.

In parallel with the delivery of equipment, Ukrainian pilots are being trained. As part of the international Interstorm program, initiated by Great Britain and the Netherlands in early 2023, Ukrainian servicemen are undergoing training in the Royal Air Force of Great Britain. The program includes studying the basics of navigation, piloting an F-16, and the English language. At the moment, the fourth group of Ukrainian pilots is undergoing a six-month training course.

Despite significant efforts to strengthen the Ukrainian Air Force, experts have expressed doubts about the ability of the F-16 to fundamentally change the course of the protracted conflict. While these fighters can enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike ground targets and counter Russian air power, their effectiveness in an intense war of attrition remains questionable. In addition, training pilots and maintenance personnel, as well as integrating new aircraft into existing infrastructure, takes time and significant resources.