A bipartisan group of senators wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that stated the United States needs to take a hard look at providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The senators want the Pentagon to be prepared, should the U.S. decide to send aircraft.

“We are now at a critical juncture in the conflict. And it’s imperative that the United States continue to carefully assess what capabilities we can provide to ensure Ukraine is able to defeat the Russians on the battlefield,” the letter stated.

The eight senators, led by Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., wrote that they are encouraged to see Ukrainian pilots visit Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona this week for a skills assessment, which includes an F-16 simulator.

“This is a critical step in gauging the readiness of Ukrainian pilots to receive Western 4th generation fighters, but there are a number of other important factors that must be evaluated and considered,” the letter said.

The letter’s other signees include Tim Kaine, D-Va., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Lisa Murkowski, R-Ak., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.

Lawmakers are seeking answers to questions regarding operations, maintenance, sourcing and training:

• What aircraft would be available to transfer if a decision is made to provide F-16s – either new production or from current U.S. or allied inventory? 
• Has the Department assessed the possibility of restoring retired F-16s? 
• Has the Department evaluated the possibility of facilitating transfers from allied countries’ inventories?
• Would Ukraine be able to address maintenance and sustainment needs connected with the aircraft if training were provided? What U.S. or allied support would be necessary?
• What new capability would the F-16 provide to Ukraine’s Air Force? 
• Do Ukrainian pilots have experience in conducting this type of mission?

“I’m not yet for sending them, but I’m for looking at the situation. You can’t just start this whole thing up and say, ‘Okay let’s send F-16s.’ If we’re going to train people, train them. Get us in the situation that if we need to do it, we do it. Prepare for it. I just think it needs to be something that we’ll have to look at if this thing escalates,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Straight Arrow News. 

The Biden Administration is not willing to send jets for now, but pressure is growing ahead of an expected Russian offensive in spring 2023. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda announced his country will send four Mig-29s within the next few days, making Poland the first NATO member to send aircraft. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked governments around the world to send war planes.