Ukrainian Air Force allows foreigners to be pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

24 March, 2023 Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise. American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighters.

2011. Ukraine.

Photo credits: poltava.to Foreigners can now serve in the Ukrainian Air Force. Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson of the Air Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made a corresponding statement on Thursday.

According to him, foreign citizens can become pilots or employees of the aviation engineering staff, if they have the appropriate military occupation. He also noted that since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, thousands of people had contacted the Ukrainian Air Force. "There were a lot of people connected with aviation.

These are Ukrainians who work abroad on various types of aviation equipment. Everyone offered their help to defend Ukraine. Among them were citizens of other states," said Ihnat.

Image: Ukrainian Air Force

He reminded that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had military units in which foreigners involved in the fight against the Russian invaders on the side of Ukraine were serving. "So why not. If they have a military occupation such as a pilot or aviation engineer, then these people can legally become servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Ihnat said.

The Spokesperson added that at the moment the Ukrainian Air Force operated Soviet-era aviation equipment, therefore there was no lack of pilots. However, according to him, the need for such specialists may increase once the Ukrainian military receives Western combat aircraft. "If we have F-16 or other types of equipment, then maybe [foreigners - ed.] will appear.

Because the experience of people who have long been working with this equipment will be needed even for briefing," said Yurii Ihnat.