SU-30SM, SU-35S, and SU-34 flying in formation - Sputnik International, 1920
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Poland Says Sending F-16 Jets to Ukraine Now Not on Agenda

© AFP 2023 / RADOSLAW JOZWIAKF 16 fighter jets takes part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the air base in Lask, central Poland on October 12, 2022
F 16 fighter jets takes part in the NATO Air Shielding exercise near the air base in Lask, central Poland on October 12, 2022 - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023
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WARSAW (Sputnik) - Sending F-16 fighters to Ukraine is not on the agenda now as it is a very complicated process, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Marcin Ociepa said on Wednesday.
"As of today, this topic [shipping of F-16 to Ukraine] is not on the agenda, if we talk about operational activities and primarily about political decisions," Ociepa told the Polish broadcaster.
The deputy minister stated that sending F-16 jets to Ukraine would not be the same as shipping arms since it would require more complex logistics, infrastructure and training.
"[Training pilots for F-16 jets would take] many months. If we shorten training, then I think it may take six months. But it will be in a very urgent mode. Normally, it will take more time," the official added.
Kiev has long been lobbying Washington and other NATO nations to provide F-16 fighter jets to bolster its forces amid Russia's special military operation.
Истребители ВВС Южной Кореи F15K и ВВС США F-16 на военных учениях  - Sputnik International, 1920, 30.01.2023
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Biden Reveals US Will Not Provide Ukraine With F-16 Fighter Jets
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on NATO countries to unlock the supply of long-range missiles and military aircraft to Kiev after Western countries announced their intention to supply Ukraine with main battle tanks.
A group of US military officials is quietly lobbying to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is gathering momentum in the US Defense Department as Kiev braces for a planned offensive this spring, US media reported earlier in the month, citing sources.
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