Ukraine's partners are planning to approve a programme to train Ukrainian pilots, engineers and technicians on F-16 fighter jets by July, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said after a meeting in the Ramstein format and a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, according to Yevropeyska Pravda.
The exercises will take place in a specially created centre in one of the European countries. A training centre will be set up there, equipped with simulators and everything necessary. At the same time, English language courses for pilots and engineers will continue.
"I can already say this because officially the Netherlands and Denmark have confirmed their leadership and readiness to organise and provide training for our pilots, our engineers, our technicians to master F-16 aircraft. The United States officially supports this," Reznikov said.
He added that the countries have each declared their readiness to join the "fighter jet coalition" in different ways - some will help with money, while others will provide equipment.
According to the plans, the exercise programme will be prepared and approved by the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. The exercise itself could begin by the end of next month.
"In July, we will have the programme, in July we will know the location. I don't see any reason not to start by the end of July," Reznikov said, adding that the teams for the exercises have already been selected.
Before the Vilnius summit, Ukraine's allies are not likely to make an announcement on the provision of fighter jets, the minister said.
Reznikov has now said that he has received commitments from the allies to start training for Ukrainian pilots on fighter jets. Initially, the training will start with F-16s, led by the Netherlands and Denmark, and later joined by other countries.
Recently, Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren said that Ukrainian pilots could start training on US-made F-16s this summer.