US sends F-16 skeletons to Ukraine as dead jets become lifeline for fighter repairs
This move aims to support “the sustainment of European-donated F-16s to Ukraine by providing completely non-operational F-16s to Ukraine for parts.”
IIn a strategic move to support Ukraine’s expanding fleet of Western-supplied F-16 fighter aircraft, the United States has approved the transfer of non-operational F-16 airframes to Kyiv.
The US Air Force confirmed this development following the emergence of imagery showing partially dismantled F-16s being loaded onto a Ukrainian-operated Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft at Tucson International Airport, Arizona.
Flight tracking data confirmed the aircraft, An-124 registration UR-82027, arrived in Tucson on April 25 and departed the following day for Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport in southeastern Poland, a principal logistics hub for Western military aid flowing into Ukraine.
Transferring retired US jets for spares
The news regarding the transfer of retired F-16 airframes to Ukraine was initially carried by The War Zone (TWZ).
These airframes have been taken apart and do not have important systems like engines, radars, or flight controls. They are not meant for flying, but will be used for spare parts, TWZ reported.
A US Air Force spokesperson told TWZ that this move aims to support “the sustainment of European-donated F-16s to Ukraine by providing disused and completely non-operational F-16s to Ukraine for parts.”