"... Advanced fighter jets are not a panacea; they are one element of deterrence. If the Biden administration insists, they could be provided on the understanding that Ukraine will not use them to attack targets in Russian territory — where, in any event, Russian air-defense systems would make such sorties too dangerous. Within Ukraine’s own airspace, however, F-16s could narrow the gap between Moscow’s air power and Kyiv’s, and operate relatively safely in coordination with other Western-supplied weapons. Those include U.S.-made AGM-88 HARM radar-destroying missiles that would limit Russia’s ability to use surface-to-air missiles to shoot down fighter jets.
"What’s more, F-16s are becoming more available as a number of NATO countries shift to the more advanced U.S.-made F-35. Yet without an official say-so from Washington, F-16s cannot be provided to Ukraine..." -- Washington Post editorial urging the Biden Administration to provide, or allow allies to provide, F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. At a minimum, given the learning curve, Ukrainian pilots, mechanics and other personnel should be given training on the jets immediately. President Biden recently punted to "seasoned military" advising him that Ukraine "doesn't need F-16s now." When, ffs, will they need them? When Putin's at the gates of Kiev?
Where's the strategic thinking here?
