F-16 for Ukraine: U.S. officially supports the training of Ukrainian pilots

20 May, 2023 F-16 of the 8th Fighter Wing "Wolf Pack" of the U.S. Air Force. Photo from the aviation regiment social media page

The United States has confirmed its support to join efforts together with other countries in training Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighters. This was announced by the adviser to the President of the United States on national security Jake Sullivan. He recalled that the United States and its allies in recent months have focused on supplying Ukraine with the weapons and equipment needed to conduct effective offensive operations against the Russian occupiers this spring and summer.

"Now that we have delivered everything we promised to Ukrainians to enable them to make progress on the battlefield, we have reached the moment when it is time to look back and say that Ukraine will be needed as part of future forces to deter and defend against Russian aggression. Part of this is the fourth generation F-16 fighters," Sullivan said. According to the adviser, the decision of the American president to support the training of Ukrainian pilots at the F-16 demonstrates "a long-term commitment to Ukrainian self-defense."