F-16 for Ukraine: Denmark sends request for pilot training to US
23 June, 2023 F-16 fighter of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo credits: Wim Sonneveld The United States has received a request from Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighters.
Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder made the statement during a briefing.
According to him, the development of the program for training Ukrainians on the F-16s is led by the Netherlands and Denmark. "I'd refer you to them to talk about the timing and the eventual location of that F-16 training," Ryder said. That request is now under review, according to the Pentagon spokesperson.
F-16 of the Royal Danish Air Force.
Photo credits: NATO
"We have received a request from Denmark to support F-16 training, which would be expected. That is currently under review," he said. It is expected that the training of Ukrainians on the F-16 fighters will begin somewhere in Europe.
The United States will also work closely with allies to carry out this exercise and will support the Netherlands and Denmark, which lead a European coalition to conduct training for Ukrainian pilots on Western combat aircraft. As earlier reported, the representative of the State Department of the United States said that the potential transfer of fighters F-16 Ukraine with the participation of third countries may last several months. The United States currently does not plan to transfer F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine, but supports their supply from other countries.
The State Department is already working on the execution of the relevant documents that are necessary for such a transfer.
F-16 fighter jets. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands
As Militarnyi reported, the Danish government is ready to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine. However, for this, there are conditions that require a joint solution by the allies.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said after the 12th Ramstein meeting that the governments of the Netherlands and Denmark were ready to lead the training of Ukrainian pilots.