US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday that European allies, including Portugal, are coordinating F-16 fighter training for Ukrainian pilots, but the Pentagon warns they will not be a “magic bullet” against Russian occupiers.
“There are no magic weapons,” said General of the Army Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who spoke with Austin at a press conference at the Pentagon, and pointed out that the supply of 10 F-16s could cost $ 2 billion (1.8 billion euros), including maintenance.
“The Russians have 1,000 fourth and fifth generation fighters, so if you are going to fight Russia in the air, you will need a significant number of fourth and fifth generation fighters,” he said.