NATO allies have already begun training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft. When exactly the fighters will be handed over is still unknown.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to a statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a conversation with the media before a Ramstein meeting.
“Firstly, I welcome the decision of several Alliance member countries to continue to support Ukraine during pilot training. And also later we can decide to provide 4th generation F-16 jet aircraft,” the NATO Secretary General said.
He also thanked Denmark for playing a leading role in ensuring these issues and willingness to train Ukrainian pilots.
“When exactly this decision will be made is not yet known. But it is already clear that training has begun and this allows us to provide aircraft. Because pilots who can fly them will be ready,” Stoltenberg said in response to a question about providing Ukraine with the F-16 .
F-16 pilot training
As RBC-Ukraine reported, the topic of training Ukrainian pilots should become a key topic during the meeting of defense ministers of Ukraine’s allied countries in the Ramstein format , which is taking place on June 15.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said that at the meeting it is planned to discuss the issues of training pilots and logistics with the teams of the ministries of defense of the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States and other countries of the coalition.
The issue of training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 became one of the main ones after US President Joe Biden supported such an initiative in May. However, so far no country has officially confirmed its readiness to supply fighter jets to Ukraine.