World

The F-16 fighter jets Kyiv wants won’t fly in Ukraine in near future

Ukraine faces a long wait before it can deploy F-16s against Russia, as US and European allies begin to thrash out who might be able to supply the fighter jets.

The countries pledging support for Ukraine are prioritizing pilot training and will have to weigh the costs and any possible security gaps before deciding whether to actually send the aircraft.

Four nations have so far committed to a coalition to help train the Ukrainian pilots — the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. But only Denmark and the Netherlands may end up actually sending the jets to help counter Russia’s invasion.

The UK has no F-16s. Belgium has signaled that many of its 53 planes are reaching the end of their lifespans, while any others would be needed for national and international missions.

Defense ministers from the US, Europe and other Ukraine supporters are likely to discuss F-16 training at a virtual meeting later Thursday.

“In the near future, consideration can be given to the possible delivery of F-16s to Ukraine, a spokeswoman for the Dutch defense ministry said, adding it was “not an immediate issue. The priority is hammering out details of the training plan, which should be finalized in coming weeks, she added.

Whether Denmark will send Ukraine its jets is still an open question, according to a spokesman for the Danish ministry of defense. The question of whether the country could afford or spare the planes would need to be discussed, he added.

While the UK doesn’t have jets of its own, one option could involve buying other countries’ planes to have them transferred to Ukraine, according to a British official. The UK is discussing a range of methods with other countries to get F-16s to Ukraine and is happy to help in any way it can with logistics, training and funding, the official said.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said over the weekend the US would work with allies in coming months to determine when the planes will be delivered, and who will do so. The likeliest scenario for now is that the US won’t send F-16s to Ukraine but instead rely on other countries to supply them.

US President Joe Biden last week dropped his reluctance to F-16s seeing combat in Ukraine after months of pressure from Kyiv and allied governments, announcing that the US would support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to use the fighter jet. While the training will take place in Europe, it requires US permission because the jet is American-made. No country has yet formally committed to supplying F-16s to Ukraine.

The move comes after allied officials have sought for months to downplay the need for Ukraine to receive F-16s, instead highlighting the urgent requirement for ammunition and air defense equipment in beating back Russian forces.

While it could take many months before pilots are trained — let alone before jets are transferred — the push to start training fits into a broader effort to help Ukraine’s military withstand future attacks by Russia even after the war ends.

UK training

The UK will begin training pilots in about two months, the British official said, adding pilots would receive introductory training on how to operate a fighter jet more generally, taking a couple of months. They would then need further training by other countries on the actual F-16s, taking another few months.

Once the pilot training plan is finalized and if allies can get a further US sign off for any transfers, the countries will then have to determine whether they can part with the costly machines as donations to Ukraine.

Colin Kahl, the Pentagon’s policy chief, told a House committee in February that the 50-80 fighter jets the US deems Ukraine would likely need to replace its existing air force could cost as much as $11 billion if they were brand new.

Intense care

Donating nations will also need to ensure Ukraine can maintain the aircraft once it receives them. The jets require intense care, including an in-depth inspection roughly every 300 hours, putting an aircraft out of commission for at least 35 days, according to Belgium’s military air base Kleine-Brogel.

One major factor in any decision will be tied to incoming F-35 orders designed to replace F-16s, as allies seek to avoid any gaps in their air forces. The Netherlands is further along in its F-35 program compared to a country like Belgium, which will only receive its first two F-35s this year but will be first stationed in the US for training. Denmark’s first F-35s arrive this year.

Meanwhile, Norway is also further along in transitioning to F-35s, with the new fleet officially taking over from F-16s last year. Asked whether Norway would consider sending F-16s, Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said in emailed comments his government is “constantly considering new donations to Ukraine, but declined to comment on future contributions.

Dutch and Danish ministers said in Brussels earlier this week that they expected other countries to soon join the coalition to train pilots. Portugal is open to helping with pilot training, but providing F-16s isn’t on the table as the country only has a limited number.

Turkey and Greece have more than 400 F-16s between them, but they are unlikely to send Ukraine the fighters. Greece needs the planes given its constant rivalry with Turkey, while the latter relies on the jets to fight separatist Kurdish militants at home and beyond its borders in Syria and Iraq.

Moreover, Turkey is playing a self-appointed mediator role in the conflict between the warring parties and would not even consider deploying its warplanes in Ukraine and take the risk of a direct confrontation with Russia, according to two senior Turkish officials familiar with the matter.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Analysis: Wagner chief is Putin’s jester, indispensable for shady business

Netherlands wants to give Ukraine pilots F-16 training as soon as possible: Minister

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM