David Deptula
David Deptula is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant general and military analyst. He is known for his expertise in airpower and unmanned aerial systems, and he served as dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. He played a role in planning air operations during the Gulf War and the NATO air campaign over the Balkans. He is a frequent commentator on U.S. defense policy and air force affairs.
-
Over half of Ukraine's F-16s grounded as Belgian maintenance lags up to 40 weeks
More than half of Ukraine's F-16 fighters are non-combat-ready due to maintenance delays at Belgian contractor Sabena Aerospace Engineering, with phased inspections reportedly taking up to 40 weeks versus two to six weeks in the United States. The backlog comes as Russia scales up jet-powered drone strikes and Ukraine leans on F-16s as its main counter to that threat.