US gives ‘green light’ to the training of Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets

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

2011. Ukraine.

Photo credits: poltava.to The US will allow European countries to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets. National security adviser Jake Sullivan made such a statement in a comment on CNN.

The statement followed the reports in the media that the European countries of the aviation coalition for Ukraine are still waiting for the official approval of the F-16 training from the US. "The president has given a green light and we will allow, permit, support, facilitate and in fact provide the necessary tools for Ukrainians to begin being trained on F-16s, as soon as the Europeans are prepared," national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. He noted Sunday that European allies have said they need several weeks to prepare training abilities and that the US would meet whatever timeline they set out.

F-16 fighter jets.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands

Biden's adviser added that "the United States will not be the hold-up in ensuring that this F-16 training can get underway." It should be noted that earlier the American publication Politico reported that the coalition of European countries, which is to begin training Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets, is still waiting for the official approval of the program by the United States. As previously Militarnyi reported, a coalition of 11 countries will start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in August.

Maintenance of the US Air Force F16 fighter jet.

2021. Photo credits: dvidshub.net

The following countries have agreed to start training Ukrainians: Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the UK.

Meeting of the "aviation coalition" July 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff will take part in the training program.

Denmark and the Netherlands are leading the international coalition's efforts to train pilots and support personnel, maintain aircraft, and supply F-16s to Ukraine.

An F-16 fighter of the Netherlands Air Force at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

2022.

Britain.

Photo by Andy Reeve-Smith

It is currently unknown when exactly the Ukrainian Air Force will receive Western fighter jets.