French General Jerome Pellistrandi expressed concern about the pace and quantity of F-16 fighter jet deliveries to Ukraine, noting that this will not significantly change the balance of power in the conflict with Russia.
The West promised Ukraine about 80 F-16 aircraft – but many forget that the deliveries will be spread over several years, and to date Kyiv has received only 10 fighters. “We need to be realistic. Given the number of aircraft promised and the timing of their deliveries, these actions will not change the balance of power in any way, which will remain in favor of Russia,” said French General Jerome Pellistrandi in an interview with La Dépêche.
So, according to him, when Belgium finishes supplying Kyiv with its share of fighters – which, according to the agreement, will be in 2028 – “it may already be too late.” Ukrainians need weapons and equipment right now, not when the US and Europe completely replace their F-16s with F-35s and can give Ukraine their old planes.
Asked whether the combination of F-16s and the promised French Mirage-2000s would be a turning point for Ukraine, the general said that “it’s too early to talk about that.” Supplying and training pilots would take too much time, which Ukrainian soldiers probably don’t have much of, Pellistrandi notes.
