Ukrainian pilots start F-16s training at US air base in Arizona

The US begins training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s at the air base in Arizona, the Air & Space Forces.

The US Air Speaker said earlier this week a "small number" of Ukrainian pilots began training at the 162nd Aviation Unit of the Arizona National Guard in "F-16 basics."

The training curriculum will align with the foundational knowledge and skills of each pilot and is expected to last several months, added a US Air Force spokesman.

The pilots are trained at Morris Air National Guard Base, which is located at Tucson International Airport. It is the only unit of the US Air Force tasked with training foreign pilots on F-16s as part of its daily mission.

A typical F-16 training course lasts about six months. However, US officials noted that Ukrainian pilots are unlikely to follow the standard model "as the course will be tailored to Ukraine's needs to defend its skies from Russian aircraft, drones, and missiles. European countries are also training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s."

Previously, the US has approved sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands to regain air dominance as soon as pilot training is completed, a Reuters source said.

The Netherlands and Denmark have led efforts to train Ukrainian pilots in F-16s and supply fighter jets to Ukraine to help counter Russian air superiority.

Norway and Belgium have also pledged to supply Ukraine with F-16s, while 11 other countries, including the United States, have said they will help train Ukrainian pilots to fly these aircraft.

Ukraine's allies agreed to provide 42 F-16 fighter jets, as Ukrainian pilots are currently receiving language training.

On September 15, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said that it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters, but later, the government suggested that Ukraine might receive several F-16s next year.

Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, says the troops need 128 foreign warplanes to gain air superiority and lead a dynamic counteroffensive.