In an article in the New York Times, American writer David French welcomed President Joe Biden's decision to allow the supply of F-16 aircraft to Ukrainian forces.
French explained that the F-16s have the ability to strike Russian forces at the front and remotely, as well as improve the air defense capability that Ukraine needs now more than ever.
French quoted Ukrainian military officials as confirming that Russian jamming made the US HIMARS missile system less effective, especially since Russia engaged aircraft that were able to bomb Ukrainian targets and are out of range for most anti-aircraft missiles.
According to the author, the focus on the F-16 is due to the fact that their number is large, whether within the US military or European armies, and therefore providing a number of them to Ukraine will not cause the depletion of the air capabilities of European allies, for example, especially since armies are provided with new advanced aircraft that replace the F-16.
The most suitable fighters
French also stressed that what makes the F-16 fighter jet the most suitable for entering the war today is that it is highly effective in defense and does not pose an existential threat to Russia, while posing a threat to the "Russian invasion" in Ukraine, as it can hit the front lines.
President Biden could have made this decision earlier.
He stressed that it is the decision made when moving from a long-term strategy of keeping Ukraine alive to a strategy of getting Russia out of Ukraine and "deterring renewed Russian aggression after this war."
He added that the US administration allowed the delivery of F-16s belonging to European allies only a shortfall that must be corrected.
Providing Ukraine with advanced fighter jets not only makes its task easier, he said, but it's a sign that the Biden administration is willing to reverse the trend from simply helping Kiev avoid defeat to pushing it for victory.