Ukrainian pilot training on F-16 jets "gains momentum" – air force spokesperson
Colonel Yurii Ihnat. Photo: Ukraine's Air Force
The training of Ukrainian pilots on F–16 fighter jets has shifted around and "gained momentum."
The spokesman of the Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces, Yuriy Ihnat, stated this on the telethon broadcast.
As the colonel noted, today, many people ask questions about where, in which country, how many pilots, and how many planes Ukraine will receive.
"Unfortunately, we cannot answer these questions in such detail now.
Not every state wants to particularly detail the process on its territory.
I can only assure you that the process has shifted very seriously," Ihnat emphasized.
He said this process wasn't happening before, but now it's picking up steam.
"The pilots are studying and undergoing training," noted the spokesperson of the Air Force of Ukraine's armed forces.
Ihnat also stated that the leaders of the countries where Ukrainian pilots are trained will inform about this later.
Also, the spokesman of the Air Force emphasized that the geography of the states that join the aviation coalition is increasing.
For reference:
Several European countries, as part of the aviation coalition, have agreed to conduct training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
After the visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky to Europe, it became known that the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway agreed to provide Ukraine with at least 61 fighter jets.
- In September, the Pentagon plans to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in the United States. They will first learn English and then begin flight training.
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhnyi, during a telephone conversation with the Chief of the Defense Staff of the Kingdom of Denmark, General Flemming Lentfer, discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers on F-16 aircraft.
- In particular, Ukraine will receive 42 American F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and 19 aircraft from Denmark. Training of Ukrainian pilots will begin as soon as possible.
- Ihnat reported that Ukraine needs about 128 aircraft to gain superiority in the sky and replace the old aircraft fleet.
The Ministry of Defense stated that Ukraine could receive the first F-16 aircraft no earlier than in 6-7 months.
