200 Ukrainian pilots have successfully completed basic training for F-16 flights in Britain
Photo: YORICK JANSENS
In the UK, 200 Ukrainian pilots have already received basic flight, ground operations, and language proficiency training before beginning their F–16 fighter training.
The British Embassy in Ukraine reported that.
As noted by the embassy, the Ukrainian pilots have completed introductory flight, ground, and language training.
"Royal Air Force instructors taught the pilots general aircraft control, instrument flight, low-altitude navigation, and complex formation flying," the embassy said in a statement.
It is worth noting that the initial stage of Ukrainian pilots' training on F-16 fighters in the UK began in the summer of 2023.
In June, British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons said that the UK, which does not have F-16 fighters in service, would provide basic training to Ukrainian pilots.
According to her, such training would allow Ukrainian pilots to be more combat-ready in a shorter period.
For reference:
At the end of July, Ukraine received the first batch of F-16 aircraft from international partners as part of military assistance. The exact number of these fighters has not yet been disclosed.
On August 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky showed the first F-16 fighters already arriving in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov announced during discussions with Norwegian Defense Minister Gram on October 17 that the next shipment of F–16s from Norway is expected to be received soon.
It is also worth recalling that F-16 fighter jets shot down 10 air targets during a large-scale Russian attack on November 17.
In addition, on November 28, Ukrainian F-16 fighter jets shot down seven cruise missiles during the latest massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian energy.
