British and Dutch plans to assist Ukraine acquire F-16 fighter jets have put the United States and a few of its closest European allies at odds — yet again — over what weapons the West ought to ship Kyiv to defend in opposition to Russia’s invasion.

Even if the Biden administration overcomes its long-held reluctance to present Ukraine the American-made planes, the F-16 wouldn’t be utilized in fight for months not less than, officers and navy analysts say. But without end within the battle, the F-16 has develop into the newest superior weapon that Ukraine and a few of its backers say it must stave off Russia — each within the present battle and for years to come back.

Here is a have a look at the F-16 fighter airplane, why Ukraine desires it and why the Biden administration is hesitant.

What is the F-16?

First flown in 1976, the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” is a supersonic fighter jet utilized by militaries in 25 countries for air-to-air fight and air-to-ground strikes. It has flown in American conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, the Persian Gulf and on homeland protection missions in U.S. airspace.

The F-16 is constructed by the American protection contractor Lockheed Martin and producers in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway — 4 nations {that a} senior Ukrainian official says have quietly signaled they’re prepared to switch a few of their F-16s to Kyiv.

It is widely considered versatile, light-weight and cost-effective — with a price ticket of up to $63 million, relying on the mannequin, in response to some estimates. There are roughly 3,000 at present in lively navy service worldwide, together with a whole bunch within the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

Why does Ukraine need them a lot?

The F-16 has each offensive and defensive capabilities. In the brief time period, Ukrainian officers say F-16s and different superior Western fighter jets are wanted to reinforce their air defenses, with Kyiv’s present ground-launched programs being exhausted by fixed barrages of Russian missiles. They may be launched inside minutes and outfitted to shoot down incoming missiles and enemy plane.

Without fashionable fighter jets, “no air defense system will be perfect,” President Volodymyr Zelensky told European leaders gathered at a summit in Reykjavik this week.

Beyond the present battle, many officers throughout Europe and within the United States consider the F-16 could possibly be a key deterrent to future aggression in opposition to Ukraine by Russia’s vastly superior air pressure.

Why is the U.S. so reluctant to ship them?

Training Ukraine’s pilots to fly Western jets will take months, and the Biden administration says it’s higher to ship weapons that can assist Ukraine now in its coming counteroffensive in opposition to Russia — a battle that many within the West hope can be a turning level within the battle. A senior American official mentioned this week that the price of sending F-16s would take up a lot of an already dwindling pot of U.S. battle funding.

At a House listening to final month, Celeste A. Wallander, an assistant secretary of protection, mentioned that the administration is concentrated on Ukraine’s navy wants but in addition on what’s sensible. “There is also a timing issue: What do they require right now, which is what we’ve been focused on for the battles they are facing, what can we deliver that will be timely and effective?” she mentioned.

She mentioned fashionable Western jet fighters, like F-16s, are “about eighth on the list” of priorities.

What are the probabilities that Ukraine finally will get F-16s?

Probably honest to excessive, in response to officers and navy analysts. The Biden administration has beforehand mentioned no to a number of forms of superior weapons for Ukraine — together with HIMARS missile launchers, Abrams tanks and Patriot missiles — solely to reverse itself underneath strain from European allies and Congress.

Under what analysts describe because the principally probably situation, the United States would subject re-export licenses to different nations which have F-16s, permitting them to switch their jets to Ukraine. Given the prices of every jet, it’s much less probably that the United States would ship its personal F-16s to Ukraine, although it’s not unattainable.

If Western allies intend to improve Ukraine’s aged Soviet-era air fleet with extra fashionable jets, giving it F-16s is “the most likely outcome,” mentioned Douglas Barrie, an navy aerospace skilled on the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

He additionally mentioned it might be unlikely for Britain, with its “special relationship” with America, to push forward with attempting to supply F-16s if the Biden administration was not not less than considerably on board: “It would be surprising, to put it mildly,” he mentioned.