Six experienced Ukrainian pilots have completed training, and ten more trainee pilots remain in Britain to continue basic flight training and master aviation medicine and centrifuge training.
Ukraine is getting closer to using the F-16. The first group of Ukrainian pilots has completed basic training in the Royal Air Force and is now learning to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.
British program
The UK began the main pilot and English-language training in August. Six experienced Ukrainian pilots have completed training, and ten more trainee pilots remain in Britain to continue basic flight training and master aviation medicine and centrifuge training.
“I am proud of the Royal Air Force’s support for the next generation of Ukrainian pilots and ground crew who will be the first line of defense in defending Ukraine’s skies,” said UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps.
The UK program aims to give pilots the skills needed to progress to the next stage of training on Western fighter jets and move them closer to a common NATO flight strategy.
Pilots who complete basic flight training conduct hands-on training in Grob Tutor aircraft, learning general control techniques, instrument flying, mid- and low-level navigation, and formation flying.
After completing their training in Britain, the pilots will undergo training abroad in Europe to improve their flying skills.
Also, dozens of Ukrainian aviation technicians are undergoing English language training focused on engineering specialties.
France will also help
France will participate in the training of Ukrainian pilots in Western fighters at the beginning of 2024 – we are talking about initial training, which will then be continued by European partners.
“The first pilots will arrive in early 2024. After initial training in France, they will continue their fighter training in courses organized by our partners,” the report said.
Although the French side did not specify it, we are probably talking about the training of F-16 fighters, organized in Europe by a coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands.
Studying in the USA
In October, the US Air Force confirmed that Ukrainian pilots had begun flight training on F-16 fighter jets at an air base in Arizona.
“The training program will be tailored to each pilot’s basic knowledge and skills and is expected to last several months,” a US Air Force spokesman said at the time.
In Arizona, the Ukrainians are expected to first learn the basics of operating the F-16 in the classroom and in simulators, and then move on to flying the real aircraft. At the same time, the course may be accelerated due to the need for Ukrainians to return to participate in hostilities at home.
Source: korrespondent
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.