Ukrainian pilots trained to fly F‑16s, ready for summer combat
At the 162nd Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, Ukrainian pilots have completed courses on operating the Fighting Falcon, an American multi-role aircraft. The conclusion of the training was announced by Erin Hannigan, spokeswoman for the US Air National Guard.
7:09 AM EDT, May 24, 2024
Information on the number of Ukrainian pilots certified to operate the F-16 is classified for operational security reasons. However, indications suggest that these aircraft will soon appear on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Training sessions at the 162nd division began with the arrival of four Ukrainian pilots in the US at the end of October last year. Additional groups started training in January of this year. The National Guard announced plans to train several aviation specialists from Ukraine by the end of 2024.
According to information from the Ukrainian headquarters, the Russians are currently using about 300 aircraft for military operations in Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force needs at least 120 to 130 F-16s to counter the enemy in the airspace.
The pilot and technical support training programs are coordinated by the coalition air forces of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, led by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States. These countries have also pledged to supply US-made aircraft, which required the approval of the Biden administration.
F-16 on the battlefield in Ukraine: Training completed
The transfer of F-16 fighters, intended to replace the aging and deteriorating fleet of Ukrainian MiG-29, Su-24, and Su-25 aircraft, has been planned for many months. Now, this operation is nearing completion. On May 20th at 11:00 PM ET, the US House of Representatives requested approval from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to use weapons supplied by the US to attack strategic targets on Russian territory under certain circumstances.
Ukraine is expecting deliveries of over 60 F-16 aircraft from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium in the coming months. If all goes well, these aircraft could enter combat at the beginning of summer.
