Britain says it won't give Ukraine RAF's Typhoon and F-35 fighters

Britain says it won’t supply Ukraine with RAF Typhoon and F-35 fighters because it would take too long to train Volodymyr Zelensky’s pilots to fly ‘sophisticate’ warplanes

• Ukrainian air force mainly comprised of the Mig-29, which first flew in 1977
•  Zelensky wants newer western fighter jets which can reach speeds of 1,200mph
• Prime Minister’s official spokesman today said it was ‘not currently practical’

Britain says it will refuse a request from Ukraine for advanced fighter jets with which to battle Russia, saying it is not ‘practical’.

No10 today said it was not planning to send RAF Typhoon or F-35 fighters to Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces because it would take too long to train pilots to fly them.

The Ukrainian air force is currently equipped with Soviet-era Russian fighters, mainly the Mig-29, which first flew in 1977.

But president Zelensky is seeking newer western fighter jets which can reach speeds of more than 1,200mph – adding to nearly $30 billion in military and security assistance since Russia’s invasion on February 24.

But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman today said it was ‘not currently practical’ to send RAF jets.

‘The UK’s Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets are extremely sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly. Given that we believe it is not practically to send those jets into Ukraine,’ he said

‘Obviously we will continue to provide and accelerate our military support to Ukraine and listen carefully to their requests.’

No10 today said it was not planning to send RAF Typhoon (top,) or F-35 fighters (above) to Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces because it would take too long to train pilots to fly them.

The Ukrainian air force is currently equipped with Soviet-era Russian fighters, mainly the Mig-29, which first flew in 1977.

Pentagon officials want to send American F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to fight Putin, after Zelensky’s army secured tanks from Germany and the US.

The contentious discussion on whether to send the jets to Ukraine has been ongoing as the Biden administration, which has so far rebuffed Kyiv’s requests, must approve the transfers.

Deputy national security adviser Jonathan J Finer this week claimed that while there is no set decision, the possibility is not off the table – but top brass are said to be keen. 

Any such donation of F-16s would further infuriate Vladimir Putin, and likely further inflame the badly-damaged relationship between Russia and the West.

President Emmanuel Macron has said France does not exclude sending fighter jets to Ukraine, but laid out multiple conditions before such a significant step might be taken.

France has sent Ukraine air defence systems, rocket launcher units, cannons and other military equipment and has pledged to send armoured surveillance and combat vehicles, but has stopped short of sending battle tanks or heavier weaponry.

Asked at a news conference in The Hague on Monday if France is considering sending warplanes, Mr Macron said ‘nothing is excluded’ as long as certain conditions are met.

Among those conditions: that providing such equipment would not lead to an escalation of tensions or be used ‘to touch Russian soil’, and that it would not ‘weaken the capacities of the French army’, Mr Macron said.

He also said Ukraine would have to formally request the planes.

Mr Macron noted that he will meet visiting Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov in Paris today.

Ukrainian officials have been stepping up demands for heavier weapons from western allies to push back Russia’s forces.

At Mr Macron’s side, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Ukraine has not formally requested Dutch F-16 fighter jets so far.

He struck a cautious stance after the Dutch foreign minister told legislators earlier this month that there were ‘no taboos’ about sending the warplanes.

‘There is no talk about delivering F-16s to Ukraine. No requests,’ Mr Rutte said.

‘There are no taboos, but it would be a very big next step.

‘It is very important we keep supporting Ukraine and that Ukraine articulates to us what they need.’

He welcomed recent German and US announcements about sending tanks to Ukraine.

‘As the Netherlands, we will keep looking at what we can do,’ Mr Rutte said.

‘We don’t have Leopard 2 tanks, we lease them. We’ve said if it helps, we’re prepared to buy them and pass them on. Maybe it’s better to use those leased Leopard 2s somewhere else. … Whatever works.’

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