US to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters in September
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The United States pledges to train Ukrainian pilots on its flagship F-16 fighter jets as early as September.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte listen to an F-16 fighter jet pilot in Eindhoven, Netherlands, August 20, 2023 (AP)
The United States has announced its plans to start training Ukrainian pilots for flying F-16 warplanes as early as September, according to Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder.
Ryder revealed that the training program will kick off with English language instruction at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, in September.
Following this preparatory phase, the Ukrainian pilots will undergo F-16 flying training in Arizona the subsequent month. The training program is expected to involve "several" pilots, and it will require the involvement of "dozens" of personnel dedicated to aircraft maintenance and support, the Pentagon spokesperson said.
Read next: West 'playing with fire' over plans to send F-16s to Ukraine: Lavrov
The United States recently allowed Denmark and the Netherlands to transfer their F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once the country's pilots are adequately trained, which led Copenhagen and The Hague to say they would provide Ukraine with a number of F-16s. The initial delivery of six of these promised fighter jets is slated to occur around the turn of the New Year.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store declared 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.
Norwegian broadcaster TV2 cited separate sources on Thursday that the government decided to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store confirmed the news later in the day.
It remains unclear how long it will be before the first set of Ukrainian pilots are completely ready to fly the jets, with officials hoping for pilots to be ready by 2024, while training by an 11-nation coalition is due to start this month.
Despite their proficiency in English, these pilots are required to undertake a four-month English course in the United Kingdom to grasp the aviation-specific terminology necessary for operating the jets.
It is worth noting that the Ukrainian President has been desperate for fighter jets, repeatedly pushing for advanced Western jets, but Kiev's international supporters had balked at doing so until recently.
"We have freedom, give us wings to protect it," Zelensky told UK Members of Parliament as he toured European countries in the hope of securing fighter jets back in February.
Russia's ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin said Friday, "The fact that Denmark has now decided to donate 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine leads to an escalation of the conflict."
Read more: F-16 jets in Ukraine to be considered as 'nuclear' threat: Russian FM
