**US Aid to Ukraine’s F–16 Jets in Question as Trump Takes Office**
As Donald Trump prepares to take over the US presidency, his administration is rushing to provide last-minute aid to Ukraine. A recent announcement by the State Department says that $266 million will be spent on maintenance sales for Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets.
But what if Washington withdraws support? The Netherlands and Denmark were the first to provide Ukraine with F-16s earlier this year, followed by Norway and Belgium. While these European countries can continue to supply the planes from their own stockpiles, they need US approval to do so.
**Can Europe Fill the Gap?**
If the US stops providing maintenance aid, Ukraine’s European allies may be able to compensate, but only if they increase funding. Peter Layton, a former Australian Air Force officer and expert at the Royal United Services Institute, says that Europeans can make up for it if they want to.
However, experts warn that this could create problems elsewhere. Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at RUSI, notes that European countries don’t have as many personnel who can train and maintain F-16s.
**Impact on the Front Line**
The F-16 jets are valuable assets for Ukraine’s defense capabilities, but they are not enough to guarantee superiority in the air. If Washington withdraws support, it could weaken Ukraine’s air defense and make it more vulnerable to Russian aerial strikes.
Ukrainian pilots are still learning how to use the F-16s effectively, and taking them out of the equation could have significant long-term consequences for Ukraine’s Air Force.
**What Next?**
If the US stops providing maintenance aid, Ukraine may need to consider other options, such as European solutions like the Mirage 2000 jets pledged by France or Swedish Gripen jets. However, these alternatives come with their own challenges and limitations.
The situation is complex, and experts say that it will be difficult for Ukraine to maintain its F-16 fleet if Washington withdraws support.