American instructors are providing training to Ukrainian pilots in the flight section with F-16 fighter jets
Bayan News – Ukrainian military officials have announced that American instructors have begun the training process for pilots in the country to learn how to fly F-16 fighter jets.
According to EuroNews, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force recently added, “The F-16 fighter has arrived at the airbase. Two of our pilots were evaluated by American instructors a day ago.”
The Ukrainian Air Force commander added that although the training course for using these fighter jets lasts 32 months, a group of Ukrainian pilots will be able to fly the F-16 after four months of training.
Alexei Reznikov, the Ukrainian Defense Minister, also stated in separate remarks that Ukrainian engineers and experts are also undergoing training alongside the pilots. He considered the minimum training period to be six months.
According to the Ukrainian Defense Minister, the American instructors will announce the progress once they are confident in the pilots’ proficiency.
Why does the Ukrainian army urgently need F-16 jets?
The training program for using F-16 fighter jets is supported by a coalition of 11 NATO member countries. A US official had stated on Friday that Washington commits itself to delivering F-16 jets to Ukraine as soon as the pilot training course is completed.
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands says his country, along with Denmark, has committed to delivering F-16 jets to Ukraine.
Mark Rutte, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, said on Monday during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that his country, along with Denmark, is committed to delivering F-16 fighter jets to Kyiv.
He added that the delivery of these military aircraft will take place when the conditions are met.
In response, Volodymyr Zelensky, while welcoming the statements of the Dutch Prime Minister, described the decision to deliver F-16 fighter jets to his country as “historic.”
After his trip to Sweden, the President of Ukraine met with Mark Rutte at an airbase in Eindhoven. Washington had agreed two days ago to the Netherlands’ decision to deliver F-16 jets manufactured in the United States.
