The training process for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets is challenging; however, the Air Force expects that the F-16s will appear in Ukrainian skies by next spring.
When will Ukraine receive the F-16s?
During a televised marathon, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Yuriy Ignat, stated that officials in the United States or Europe have indicated different completion dates for the training of Ukrainian pilots on the fighter jets.
“We are currently banking on spring because, if the process of training our pilots has already started with aviation instructors, then in principle, I think we can count on the statements made by the Ukrainian government”.
Ignat added that Ukraine expects to receive these aircraft as quickly as possible because there is nothing faster to acquire than the F-16.
“So, we eagerly await our pilots from their training. The training process is indeed challenging; preparing the infrastructure is not simple, and training the engineers is also not easy.”
According to the spokesperson, approximately 150 aircraft could effectively protect Ukraine’s airspace.
“One and a half hundred – that’s the number that would allow us to defend our country and its airspace. This is the future perspective when we replace the entire fleet of outdated (both morally and physically) Soviet equipment with F-16s, maybe another type of aircraft, such as the Gripen.”
What is known about the training of Ukrainian pilots?
It was announced on October 25 that Ukrainian pilots have already completed their first flights on F-16s, finishing their training on flight simulators.
Currently, Ukrainian military personnel continue their training in partner countries’ territories, including the USA, Romania, and Belgium.
Recall that on May 16, the UK, the Netherlands, and France announced the creation of a ‘fighter coalition’ to provide F-16s to Ukraine.
Later, the USA and its allies confirmed that they would provide aircraft to Ukraine.
During a visit to the Netherlands in August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 42 F-16 fighters.
In September, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced that his country was considering transferring F-16s to Ukraine.