Meanwhile, 24 Dutch F-16s are due to be retired shortly, while Norway retired 64 of the jets last year - which all might provide a pool of aircraft for Ukraine, Mr Bell explained. In the EU alone, Belgium, Denmark and Norway had 125 F-16s, but they are gradually being replaced by the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Mr Bell said that the F-16 Fighting Falcon is a "compact multi-role fighter that is "capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground roles" and is the most widely exported fast jet in the world. Mr Bell said Ukraine needs trained pilots and logistic support, plus a spectrum of support capability, which all takes time and is "very expensive". "But, even if Ukraine was to be gifted a squadron of F-16s, that would not provide credible or capable combat air capability," he said. Military analyst and former fast jet pilot Sean Bell has said the US and its allies sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will be of "major concern" for Vladimir Putin.Ĭommenting on the move, Mr Bell said that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking for fast jets for "the past year" and that the Russian Air Force is "larger and better equipped than Ukraine", which leaves the nation "vulnerable". "Our policy approaches are not designed to harm China, we do not seek to thwart China's economic progress and development," they said in a communique issued on the second day of the three day summit. Their dependence on trade with the world's second-largest economy. The heads of the world's leading democracies said they were prepared to build "constructive and stable" relations with Beijing while reducing The G7 nations have expressed concerns over Beijing tensions, and outlined a shared approach towards China, looking to "de-risk, not decouple" economic engagement with a country regarded as the factory of the world.
There was more criticism for the G7 leaders' stance from Russia, with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov saying that decisions at their summit in Japan were aimed at the "double containment" of Russia and China. The ministry said that the G7 had disregarded China's concerns and attacked it, as well as interfered in its internal affairs, including Taiwan, the ministry said in a statement.Ĭhina has expressed its strong dissatisfaction and has lodged stern representations with summit host Japan, the statement added. China has firmly opposed the G7 joint statement out of Hiroshima and has complained to summit organiser Japan, the Chinese foreign ministry said today.
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