F-16s for Ukraine: 70 servicemen of the Ukrainian Air Force being trained in Denmark

21 August, 2023 F-16 of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine In Denmark, 70 Ukrainian servicemen, including pilots and ground personnel, are being trained on the F-16 fighter jets.

Yurii Ihnat, Spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, made the announcement during a telethon, Ukrinform reports. This is the first group of Ukrainian pilots and technicians to start mastering Western multi-role fighters. "Not all of those 70 are pilots, aviation is a huge team.

There are those who perform flights and those who support them. This is a very large army of people, we call them aviators. And it is clear that they also need to learn how to maintain equipment and provide flight support," Ihnat explained.

Yurii Ihnat.

Photo from open sources

According to him, this is the first wave of pilots who will immediately be re-trained for the F-16 fighters. The second and third waves will follow. "The other group of pilots are young, actually yesterday's graduates, who will go to the UK to take a longer program.

But they will receive basic training: English language and light motor Western aircraft with a transition to fighter jets. This program will last longer, possibly up to 2 years, but this is the prospect that awaits us - we are re-equipping our Air Force with new types of equipment," Ihnat summarized. As Militarnyi previously reported, on August 20, the Netherlands and Denmark announced their decision to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

Denmark has officially confirmed the transfer of 19 F-16 multirole fighter jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian pilots and engineers have already begun training to use these aircraft.

F-16AM (Block 20 MLU) of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Denmark

As part of his working visit to Denmark, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Danish Fighter Wing Skrydstrup air base on Sunday, August 20, where he got acquainted with the technical features of F-16 fighter jets and the training program for Ukrainian pilots on these aircraft.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky gets acquainted with the F-16 fighter jet of the Danish Air Force, August 20, 2023.

Photo credits: Office of the President

He also spoke to the Ukrainian military, who are undergoing training in operation of these aircraft to protect Ukrainian skies, and presented servicemen with state awards. "I wish you good studies and to return home on new wings as soon as possible to defend our country, its sovereignty and territorial integrity. To protect our people and our homes.

I am confident in each of you," he said.

Denmark expects to hand over the first six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine closer to the New Year.