The Defense Minister is of the opinion that to ensure future security, London should send aviation to Kiev after the war is over.
Ben Wallace, head of the British Ministry of Defense, said that it is not worth waiting for the procurement of Western fighters for the Ukrainian army in the near future, as this process can take several months. He voiced this in an interview with the BBC on 9 February.
He noted that the UK is now focused on protecting the Ukrainian skies by other means, such as missiles and drones.
Wallace rejected former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s offer to immediately supply 100 Typhoon fighter jets to Ukraine as “unrealistic”. The minister said that the aircraft that Ukraine will receive will not be equipped to attack ground targets.
Also, Wallace said that the transfer of Typhoon fighters to Ukraine requires the approval of many countries involved in their development and production.
The British Secretary of Defense also made it clear that it is very important for him to ensure the protection of his country and its allies in the NATO bloc. Wallace is of the opinion that Britain should provide aircraft to Ukraine after the war to ensure future security.
“The first thing to admit is that this isn’t some kind of emergency ‘look and give me a bunch of planes’.” A “helper” like those used in Formula 1 racing.
“The UK knows what Ukraine needs and is more than happy to help in many ways by trying to make an impact,” said Wallace.
He also stressed that England has a duty to protect its coasts and its inhabitants.
“I have an obligation to help Ukraine, so if I give all fighters and all tanks, that means pulling them out of Estonia and the UK, and there are many obligations here too,” said the head of the British Foreign Office. Defense said.
Recall, on February 8, the Russian Embassy in London claimed that the supply of British warplanes to the Ukrainian side would have “military and political consequences” for Europe and the whole world.
It was also reported on February 7 that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, decided to once again answer the question of why his country will not supply Ukraine with F-16 aircraft in the near future.
Source: Focus
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