Ukraine has been requesting F-16 fighter jets to enhance its combat capabilities in the face of Russia’s invasion. While the Western-led coalition, led by the United States, has provided Ukraine with weapons like small arms, rockets, artillery, tanks, and air defense systems, Ukraine has been persistent in seeking advanced Western fighter jets to gain an upper hand in the conflict and effectively target Russian forces. Ukrainian fighter pilots have advocated for F-16 Fighting Falcons due to their advanced technology, including radars, sensors, and missile capabilities. However, the US has not provided F-16s to Ukraine, citing several reasons. Concerns about provoking Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and escalating the conflict, as well as the sophistication of the F-16s compared to Ukraine’s existing Soviet-era aircraft, are among the key reasons. Despite this, the US has expressed willingness to support the training of Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s. Training will occur in Europe and is expected to last several months before any potential deployment of fighter jets. Despite arguments against providing F-16s due to their complexity, a US Air Force report suggests that Ukrainian pilots could be trained on these aircraft within four months.