Two Ukrainian pilots will be able to master the F-16 fighter in four months.
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In anticipation of mine, two pilots were tested by instructors from the USA. If you take the general training in which they are engaged, it is 32 months. For these pilots, it was decided that for such a class of pilots, they will be able to master the F-16 aircraft in four months,” said Air Force Commander Nikolai Oleshchuk.
According to him, there is a flexible system of approach to each pilot, and the F-16 aircraft are designed in such a way that the pilot focuses only on the use of weapons and “does not focus accordingly on piloting technique.”
The F-16 fighter has already landed on Ukrainian airfields, said the commander of the Air Force
The F-16 aircraft was in Ukraine. He landed at our airfields, we conducted joint exercises with F-16 pilots, and we have experience in operating the F-16 aircraft, respectively. I think this is significant,” Oleshchuk noted.
Ukraine is engaged in the preparation of runways – an appropriate reconstruction is being carried out, the coverage and infrastructure of airfields are being improved, and new protective structures are being built.
And I think from the moment Ukraine acquires aircraft, we will be able to receive them in Ukraine,” he added.
Ukrainian pilots from 2023 and 2016 flew to the UK and Sweden. Oleshchuk spoke about this on the air of the telethon.
In these countries, Ukrainian young and experienced pilots will master modern combat aircraft.
I have decided that the pilots of this 2023 edition will go to the UK for training. As for Sweden, young pilots of the 2016 edition, who already have sufficient combat experience, went there,” Oleshchuk said.
He noted that the training system in these countries is quite flexible. Instructors approach each Ukrainian pilot individually. First, the skills and capabilities of each pilot are tested separately.
In anticipation of training, my two pilots were tested by US instructors. If we take the general training in which they are engaged, then the total training is 32 months. Regarding our two pilots, it was decided that they would be able to master the F-16 aircraft in four months, the lieutenant general added.
Background
On May 16, 2023, the UK announced the start of an international coalition of countries to receive Western aircraft for Ukraine.
The Netherlands and the UK are planning to lead a “fighter coalition” to get Ukraine western aircraft that will train Ukrainian pilots to fly fourth-generation western fighters, including the F-16. The coalition included 11 countries.
Denmark and the Netherlands are expected to be the first countries to start training pilots.
Recall that on Saturday, August 19, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel of the Air Force had begun preparations for the operation of F-16 multi-role fighters.
The Netherlands and Denmark are involved in the training program. The training plan involves learning English. It is not yet known how long the exercises will continue.
According to Reznikov, the decision on the readiness of the Ukrainians will be made by the instructors when they see the appropriate level of individual skills and interaction. According to current estimates, such training could take at least six months.
Also during a visit to Sweden, on Saturday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that pilots of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are testing Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters. The President added that he had held talks on the upcoming steps that would open up the possibility of obtaining these aircraft.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.