Ukraine’s defence minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that an international initiative to train Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets could start in July.
Kyiv, which has launched an operation against Russian troops, has repeatedly stated that it requires modern Western aircraft to fight Moscow’s aerial dominance successfully.
NATO countries Denmark and the Netherlands are leading an international coalition effort to educate pilots and support staff, maintain aircraft, and eventually supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated on an official military platform that he hoped the training would begin as soon as the program, which is currently being developed, was authorized.
“The designated pilots have been identified. The program will be prescribed by the beginning of July, announced, and I can optimistically say that training will begin in July”, the minister said.
Training might begin as early as this summer, according to Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, as Reuters reported.
The United States has received a request from Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder announced this. According to him, the Netherlands and Denmark are currently leading the development of a programme to train Ukrainians on F-16s.
The Western nations may transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in early 2024, but the specific timing has yet to be determined.
Anticipated F-16 fighter jets delivery to Ukraine was reported by Politico. The journal notes that the question of which nations will provide Ukraine with the aircraft remains open.
The publication’s sources in defence circles said that the planes would likely be provided by the Netherlands and Denmark, which are leading a programme to train Ukrainian pilots.
At the same time, the sources added, this matter still needs to be resolved.
Read also: How do F-16s protect Ukraine, and why does the Ukrainian Army need them?
US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin has said it stands ready to help Ukrainian pilots fly and maintain its F-16 fighter jets if NATO member states agree to send them to help the country against Russian aggression.
The Western nations discussed providing Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets at a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defence in Ramstein format last week.
It was reported that by July, Ukraine’s partners plan to approve a training programme for Ukrainian pilots, engineers and technicians to fly F-16s, with the training taking place in a specially created centre in a European country.
Read also: Who joined Ukraine’s fighter jet coalition, and what aircraft will Kyiv receive?
Photo: F-16 of the Royal Danish Air Force, Credit: NATO
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