Coalition for Ukrainian pilots' F-16 training already formed – Reznikov

The coalition for training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets has been officially formed, 11 countries have joined it.

Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov posted this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

“It’s official: a coalition for F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force has been formed! Today, 11 partner states + Ukraine signed a Memorandum outlining the terms. I'm especially grateful to Denmark and the Netherlands for their outstanding leadership in this process,” Reznikov noted.

Read also: Training of Ukrainian pilots in UK to start in late July or early August - Ukrainian Ambassador

According to him, Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and support staff will participate in a training program.

At the same time, there is the possibility of including other types of fighter aircraft in the program.

“The coalition is ready to consider other means of granting Ukraine fully functional F-16 capabilities,” Reznikov added.

He thanked his colleagues from Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Great Britain for this decision.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko said that the first 20 Ukrainian pilots would begin training on Western fighter jets in the UK in late July or early August.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Thomas Meneguin