The Biden administration finally agreed in May to support F-16 training for Ukraine by NATO members, caving to mounting pressure from both Kyiv and Washington's allies. Douglas Sims II, director of operations for the US military's Joint Staff, told reporters at a briefing. But the conditions right now for the employment of the F-16s - they're probably not ideal,' Lt.

'The conditions on the environment certainly are changing over time.

Clearing these is a slow, painstaking, and deadly process for Kyiv's troops, who also have to contend with Russian forces, from infantry to formidable air defenses.Īt the moment, the battlefield conditions aren't ideal for Ukrainian forces to field the advanced F-16s that they have long sought, but Abrams tanks will make an impact in combat when they arrive, likely later this year, a top US general said Thursday. Now several weeks into its ongoing counteroffensive, Ukraine is still fighting without air superiority and battling Russia's tough ground defenses - which include elaborate networks of barbed wire, sprawling trenches, minefields, and anti-tank fortifications. However, only one, a US general argues, is ready to make an impact in the current conditions. Ukraine is already well armed with weapons from the US and its NATO allies, but Kyiv's military is still looking to boost its firepower with two high-profile American-made weapons: F-16 fighter jets and M1 Abrams tanks. Kyiv hopes to one day field F-16 fighter jets, and it is expecting to receive Abrams tanks soon.į-16s aren't ideal for the fight now, a US general said, but Abrams tanks will make a difference. Ukrainian forces are facing stiff and brutal Russian defenses in the east and south. M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training the Armed Forces of Ukraine at Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 14, 2023.

US Soldiers assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, offload U.S.

Us military tank division