Germany could add Eurofighter Typhoon to ‘fighter coalition’ for Ukraine, says Reznikov
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Germany has the potential to join the “fighter coalition” and supply Kyiv with Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes, Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, said in an interview with the German media group Funke and the French newspaper Ouest France, German broadcaster DW reported on May 30.
“If the United Kingdom and Germany combined their capabilities to supply Eurofighter aircraft, it would be a significant step,” Reznikov said.
Reznikov added that Ukraine requires a total of 120 fighters, with the Eurofighter Typhoon being particularly helpful in repelling Russian aggression.
“The majority must consist of F-16s, of which there are over five thousand in the world. However, Eurofighters and (Swedish warplane) the Gripen would also assist us,” said Reznikov.
He also said Ukraine would welcome Germany’s participation in training Ukrainian pilots on Eurofighter aircraft.
“Our British partners are prepared to offer training courses on the Eurofighter for Ukrainians, and we are currently discussing with our Swedish friends how to initiate training on Saab Gripen planes,” Reznikov said.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on May 19 that the United Kingdom, along with the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark, had agreed to participate in the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighters. Britain pledged to commence training as early as this summer. CNN reported that U.S. President Joe Biden supported the decision on joint training.
The White House has also stated that in the coming months, the allies will collaborate to determine the timing, recipients, and quantity of aircraft to be transferred to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is hopeful that F-16s will be in Ukraine by this fall.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he was unable to specify the exact number of fighters to be transferred or provide an exact timeline. However, he assured that he would make efforts to expedite their delivery.
Yuriy Sak, an advisor to the Minister of Defense, had previously disclosed that Kyiv aims to acquire 40 to 50 F-16s and establish three to four squadrons.
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