WSJ: Ukraine could put all its F-16 fighters out of action by the end of the year

Ukraine may render all its F-16 fighter jets inoperable by the end of the year, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing a source.

“More than half of Ukraine’s F-16s are currently in limbo due to maintenance, and at this rate of use and repair, Kyiv will render the remaining aircraft unusable by the end of this year,” the publication says.

According to the publication, in Belgium, for example, it takes up to 40 weeks to repair fighter jets.

As retired US Air Force officer David Deptula points out, Ukraine's inability to quickly maintain the F-16 is turning into an air defense crisis.