TSAMTO, June 6. Australia, the USA and Ukraine are discussing the transfer of 41 decommissioned F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to Kiev. This, as RIA Novosti reports, was reported by the Australian Financial Review newspaper, citing its sources.
"Australia, the USA and Ukraine are discussing sending 41 F/A-18 Hornet of the Australian Air Force to Kiev," the article says.
Australian expert Robert Potter, who advises Kiev, confirmed the fact of the negotiations, but noted that the parties have not yet reached a specific agreement.
According to sources of the publication, Washington positively assesses the transfer of aircraft. The consent of the United States in this matter is necessary, since they own the intellectual property rights to these fighters.
At the moment, the F/A-18 Hornet is based near Newcastle, Australia. If the planes are not given to Ukraine, they will be disposed of or sold to a private company for pilot training.
According to an informed source, the fighters can be put into operation within four months. However, it is noted that some of the aircraft are suitable only for spare parts.
According to the publication, the Australians and Americans can make it clear to Kiev that the F/A-18 Hornet can only be used in the airspace of Ukraine, otherwise the allies will stop servicing them.
As RIA Novosti reminds, the Politico newspaper, citing a Pentagon source, previously wrote that the US Department of Defense does not object to the possible provision of F-16 fighters to Ukraine by other countries. At the same time, according to the source, such a decision has not yet been made.
The Pentagon has repeatedly questioned Ukraine's need for combat aircraft at the current stage of the conflict. At the same time, Kiev hopes to receive up to 50 F-16 fighters from the West.
