Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Ukrainian defense says Ukraine may start F-16 use in Spring 2024

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Aug 2023 14:39
3 Min Read

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov suggests that Ukraine establish an infrastructure for the jets, which he expects to take "at least six months or perhaps even longer."  

  • x
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in a F-16 fighter jet in the hangar of the Skrydstrup Airbase in Vojens, northern Denmark, on Aug. 20, 2023 (AFP)
    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sit in an F-16 fighter jet in the hangar of the Skrydstrup Airbase in Vojens, northern Denmark, on Aug. 20, 2023 (AFP)

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told Germany's Bild on Monday that given training for pilots, engineers and technicians is already ongoing, Ukraine may begin using F-16 fighter jets in spring 2024.

Reznikov suggested that Ukraine establish an infrastructure for the jets, which he expected to take "at least six months or perhaps even longer."  He also expressed his hope that the deployment of US-made jets poses a "turning point" in the conflict in Ukraine.

This comes after the US approved the supply of the F-16 jets to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands as soon as Ukrainian pilots concluded their training on operating the jets. 

The United States announced its plans on Friday to start training Ukrainian pilots for flying F-16 warplanes as early as September, according to Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder, who added that the training program will kick off with English language instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, in September.

Related News

4th Western-supplied F-16 crashes in Ukraine

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

Read next: F-16 training: Ukrainian pilots will not be operational before 2024

However, earlier in August, Western efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to fly advanced F-16 jets were being hampered by the service members’ poor English language skills. According to sources, of Ukraine's 32 pilots, only eight had enough English proficiency to partake in a future training program. 

As per information from two undisclosed Ukrainian officials earlier this month, it is projected that only six pilots, approximately 50% of the squadron, will finish the initial phase of training. The Washington Post reports that two additional pilots have been designated as backup candidates.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store declared on Thursday Norway's intention to contribute to the effort by supplying single-engine aircraft to Ukraine. This collaborative endeavor underscores the shared objective of reinforcing Ukraine's defense capabilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has tirelessly pursued the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets for several months, stressing that they were a necessity in bolstering Ukraine's defensive stance. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underlined that Western countries were "playing with fire" by agreeing to provide Ukraine with US-made F-16 fighter jets, deeming the plans "an unacceptable escalation" of the conflict.

Read more: West 'playing with fire' over plans to send F-16s to Ukraine: Lavrov

  • F-16
  • US
  • Oleksiy Reznikov
  • Fighter Jet
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS