On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced the U.S. Department of State’s approval for the potential sale of a support package for the operation of Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM multirole aircraft to Ukraine, valued at up to 266.4 million USD.
Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
According to the released information, Kyiv government is seeking to acquire Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader (SKL) cryptographic devices, minor modifications and maintenance support, access to engine Component Improvement Program (CIP), spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories, repair and return support, weapon software and its support equipment, classified and unclassified software and delivery support, classified and unclassified publications and documentation, personnel training and training equipment, studies and surveys, US Government and contractor (Belgian Sabena as well as American Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Pratt And Whitney) engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
Previous information regarding support for Ukrainian F-16 covered the contract signed on September 20 for the delivery of Instrument Landing System (ILS) from Advanced Navigation And Positioning Corp, and increasing the combat capabilities and survivability of aircraft by developing, testing and delivering a full spectrum of software support for electromagnetic warfare, as announced on August 26 this year.
The first 6 F-16AM/BM aircraft were delivered to Ukraine by Denmark on July 29 (one was lost on August 26), and deliveries from the Kingdom of the Netherlands began on October 6. Both countries declared the delivery of 19 and 24 aircraft, respectively. On December 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the arrival of the second batch from Denmark. Unofficially, there are around 11 aircraft in the country.
Norway (22 units) and Belgium (30 units) have also promised to transfer their retired F-16s. Greece may soon join them, delivering another 32 aircraft, according to media reports.
In addition, on September 22, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov revealed that negotiations to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon and JAS 39 Gripen aircraft are underway, and according to earlier media reports, talks were also held with Argentina about 5 Dassault Super Étendard Modernisé fighter-attack aircraft. In turn, deliveries of Dassault Mirage 2000-5F multirole aircraft currently being modernized in France (6 units according to media reports) will begin in early 2025.