As the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia rages on, the debate over whether to supply Western fighter jets to Ukraine has intensified. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been vocal in his support for providing sophisticated NATO aircraft to Ukraine, arguing that it would help the country to “finish the job” and ultimate win the war. According to Johnson, the sooner Ukraine wins, the greater the savings in both treasure and lives. However, the current UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his government have been reluctant to budge, citing the need to focus on providing support that can be of immediate use to Ukraine.
In his recent tour of the United States, Johnson spoke at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council think tank, where he dismissed arguments against the supply of fighter jets to Ukraine. “Give the Ukrainians the tools to finish the job,” he declared. However, Downing Street has been quick to shoot down these calls, highlighting the practical difficulties of supplying British warplanes to Ukraine. According to the Prime Minister’s official spokesman, it would take approximately 35 months to train new pilots on a new aircraft, while the current UK fast jet training program takes a whopping five years.
Moreover, the spokesman emphasized that the current UK government is focused on providing support that can be of immediate use to Ukraine, rather than investing the time and resources required to train Ukrainian pilots to fly advanced NATO aircraft. “We will continue listening to the Ukrainians and consider what is right for the long term,” the spokesman said, “but it’s helpful to understand the situation.” This stance has sparked debate over whether the British government is doing enough to support Ukraine, with some arguing that providing fighter jets would be a crucial game-changer in the war.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Via Boris Johnson/Twitter)
The UK government’s reluctance to supply fighter jets to Ukraine has been met with criticism from Johnson, who has argued that the country’s refusal to provide meaningful military support is hamstringing Ukraine’s efforts. However, Downing Street has maintained that the government is committed to supporting Ukraine, but is focused on providing aid that can be of immediate use. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office stressed that the UK would continue to work closely with allies to provide Ukraine with the support it needs, but would take a measured approach to ensure that its support is effective and practical.
The debate over fighter jets to Ukraine has highlighted the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict. While some argue that providing advanced NATO aircraft would be a crucial step in supporting Ukraine’s war effort, others argue that it would be a significant military commitment that would have major implications for the UK’s own military capabilities. As the conflict continues to rage on, it remains to be seen whether the UK government will bend to pressure to supply fighter jets to Ukraine, or stick to its current approach of providing practical aid that can make a meaningful difference on the ground.
