14th Ramstein format meeting participants discuss Ukrainian pilots' F-16 training

“We heard from the co-leads of the F-16 training coalition, Denmark, and the Netherlands. They continue to make progress on a cohesive training plan to help some very eager Ukrainian pilots learn to fly fourth-generation aircraft,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said following the meeting Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

During the meeting, he noted, the participants discussed providing Ukraine with additional air defense capabilities and ammunition.

“I've asked our friends to continue to dig deep into their military stocks,” Austin said.

Moreover, according to him, the 14th Ramstein format meeting participants discussed plans to ramp up ammunition production for Ukraine at both the national level and the multinational level through the European Union's initiative.

“Such initiatives clearly show that members of this Contact Group continue to meet Ukraine's near-term needs while also working to get Ukraine what it needs for the long term,” the U.S. Secretary of Defense stressed.

The 14th meeting Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Ramstein format took place Tuesday in a virtual mode with the participation of about 50 countries.