Ukrainian pilots start training on US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets
NATO allies have already begun training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. It is not yet known when the fighters will be delivered.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a media conversation before the Ramstein meeting.
“Firstly, I welcome the decision of several Allies to continue to support Ukraine in training pilots. And we may also decide later on to provide 4th generation F-16 jets,” said the NATO Secretary General.
He also thanked Denmark for playing a leading role in ensuring these issues and for its willingness to train Ukrainian pilots.
“It is not yet known when this decision will be made. But it is already clear that the training has begun, and this will allow us to provide the aircraft then. Because pilots who can fly them will be ready,” Stoltenberg said in response to a question about providing Ukraine with F-16s.
Training of pilots on F-16
As previously reported, the topic of training Ukrainian pilots is to be a key one during the meeting of defense ministers of Ukraine’s allies in the Ramstein format on June 15.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that the meeting will discuss pilot training and logistics with teams from the defense ministries of the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States and other coalition countries.
The issue of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s became one of the main ones after US President Joe Biden supported the initiative in May. However, no country has yet officially confirmed its readiness to supply Ukraine with fighter jets.
