Ukrainian pilots and personnel are being trained to operate F-16s under various programmes in the countries participating in the Aviation Coalition. Each country contributes to the training of Ukrainian pilots, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Lt-Gen Oleksandr Pavlyuk has said.
"I would like to note the efforts made by the partners within the Aviation Coalition to develop the combat capabilities of the aviation of the Air Force of Ukraine. Each country makes its own contribution. This includes not only guarantees of aircraft supply, but also assistance with ammunition and everything necessary for the effective defence of the Ukrainian sky with F-16s," Pavlyuk said.
Currently, different groups of specialists are being trained under different programmes:
- Young pilots are improving their professional level by conducting training flights in accordance with international procedures in the UK, in order to move on to retrain for F-16 aircraft.
- Experienced pilots and ground staff are being retrained for F-16s in Denmark and the United States.
- Other groups of Ukrainian pilots and aviation personnel who are currently improving their aviation-specific English in the UK, Canada, Poland and the US will soon join the F-16 training programme.
The Aviation Coalition includes NATO Allies and partners: the Kingdom of Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Kingdom of Greece, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of Poland, Romania, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and the Republic of France.