Ukraine needs to prepare the infrastructure (shelters, supplies, fuelling stations, etc.) to receive the fourth-generation F-16 multi-role fighter aircraft, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said, according to the website of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
"We have returned from Vilnius, where 11 countries signed a memorandum on training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. At first there were 10, then Romania joined. I thanked all the ministers. I think that the first training of our pilots and technical engineers will begin in one of the 11 countries in August," Reznikov said.
The minister added that at a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence (Ramstein 14), Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak confirmed that Poland, which has also joined the project, is providing its equipment and capabilities.
According to Reznikov, Ukrainian pilots and technical engineers will be trained in several countries in parallel.
"Here in Ukraine, we will do our 'homework': we will assess the capabilities of our airfields where the aircraft will be used and build the infrastructure for them. I talked about this with Anita Anand, the Minister of Defence of Canada. They don't have F-16s, but they support the idea of developing the infrastructure and thus will be in this coalition. As soon as the infrastructure and pilots are ready, and the engineers are ready to maintain the equipment, the partners will make a decision: 'Okay, now the planes!' So it will take a little time. I'm optimistic that it will be next year," Reznikov said.