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
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm the Old City in the center of Nablus, occupied West Bank
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Sudanese army forces drones strike town of Kabkabiya, North Darfur.
Syrian Observatory: The plane is loaded with air defense systems and heavy weapons as part of US troop reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria
Syrian Observatory: US cargo plane lands with two military helicopters at Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of Rmeilan, north of Hasakah
Miguel Díaz-Canel to Gustavo Petro: US seeks to reimpose the Monroe Doctrine in its relations with sovereign states in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the PFLP, says they handed over the body of an Israeli captive to the Israeli occupation forces in implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire agreement.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia

US to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters in September

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Aug 2023 14:59
3 Min Read

The United States pledges to train Ukrainian pilots on its flagship F-16 fighter jets as early as September.

  • x
  • 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)
    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.

Related News

Iran warns of stronger retaliation against any future aggression

Russia refutes US media claims of Lavrov-Rubio meeting delay

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

  • United States
  • F-16
  • Kiev
  • Ukraine
  • F-16 Fighters
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025
How an Israeli-backed firm spied on US churches to push propaganda

How an Israeli-backed firm spied on US churches to push propaganda

  • Politics
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Inside Trump’s secret campaign to dismantle the ‘Deep State’: Reuters
Politics

Inside Trump’s secret campaign to dismantle the ‘Deep State’: Reuters

ap
Politics

Cuba's president denounces renewed US meddling in region, backs Petro

Bob Vylan: 'Who cares about the chant when Palestinians are killed?'
Arts and Culture

Bob Vylan: 'Who cares about the chant when Palestinians are killed?'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks before a lunch with President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Politics

Rubio leading US campaign to oust Maduro through force, sanctions: WSJ

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