Putin won’t attack NATO countries but says he will shoot down F-16s: which countries use them?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed reports that he will attack NATO countries. However, he warns that Russia will shoot down F-16s that are sent by Western countries to Ukraine.

Ukraine is expecting to receive F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies, a move likely to heighten military pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced last year that several countries had pledged to send a total of 42 F-16s. Ukrainian pilots have undergone extensive training in Western countries to operate these aircraft.

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What is an F-16 fighter jet and which countries use them?

The F-16 jet is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin. for the United States Air Force. It’s one of the most widely used and versatile fighter jets in the world, serving with various air forces around the globe.

The jet was designed as a lightweight, high-performance aircraft capable of performing a variety of missions, including ground attack and reconnaissance. It is highly maneuverable, making it well-suited for dogfighting and air combat maneuvers.

The F-16 is armed with a variety of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, and precision-guided munitions.

Since its first flight in 1974, the jet has undergone several upgrades and variants, including versions with improved engines, avionics, and weapons systems. The F-16 remains in active service with many air forces worldwide, and is currently used by 26 countries.

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Here is a list of countries with the most F-16 fighter jets.