United to win: Ukrainian pilots in Britain complete preparatory courses for F-16 flight training
Photo: RAF
The first six Ukrainian pilots have already passed basic training in the Royal Air Force of Great Britain and are currently learning to fly F-16 fighters in Denmark.
The press service of the British Ministry of Defense reported that.
It should be noted that Great Britain provides basic training for Ukrainian combat aviation pilots as a contribution to the international coalition Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine.
Six experienced Ukrainian pilots have already completed introductory training courses.
As noted in the agency's press release, Ukrainian pilots since August:
- studied English with an emphasis on "aviation" slang,
- studied aviation medicine,
- underwent spin and simulator training with British instructors to teach basic skills such as low- and medium-level navigation and formation flying.
The ministry added that another ten Ukrainian trainee pilots remain in Great Britain for training.
"I am proud of the support that the Royal Air Force is providing to the next generation of Ukrainian combat pilots and ground crews, who will be the first line of defense in protecting the skies of Ukraine," said UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps.
It was also stressed that the British program is designed to equip pilots with the necessary abilities to advance to the next level of training in Western fighter jets and align them with NATO's approach to flying.
Pilots undergo practical training on Grob Tutor aircraft and learn:
- general management procedures,
- instrument piloting,
- navigation at medium and low levels,
- fly in formation.
After completing training in Britain, pilots will undergo training in another European country to improve their flying skills.
It is also reported that dozens of Ukrainian aviation technicians undergo English language training focused on engineering specialties.
For reference:
In a conversation with Zelensky, the prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, announced the preparations for transferring the first F-16s to Ukraine.
Later, the Institute for the Study of War wrote that Ukraine could receive the planes by the end of 2023, allegedly indicated in the Estonian strategic document.
However, Ukraine's Air Force spokesperson, Ihnat, said that the F-16s that Ukraine will receive still need to be modernized.
It should be noted that although the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had not even received F-16 fighters yet, Russian propagandists have already begun to invent that their troops were allegedly shooting down these planes in Ukraine.
"I think that by the end of the day, there will be more (reports of "downed" F-16s – ed.). And by the end of the year, they will complete "this difficult year," probably with at least two squadrons," Ihnat commented.
In addition, according to Ihnat, it makes no sense for Western countries to deliver F-16s to Ukraine yet, as the planes will be under the enemy's sights. Ukraine must be 100 percent ready for such supplies.
