10 Ukrainian pilots received basic training in the UK to fly F-16s - British Ministry of Defense
Kyiv • UNN
Ten Ukrainian pilots have completed their basic flight training in the UK under the guidance of British Air Force instructors and will now receive further training from the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16s to defend Ukraine's skies.
The first Ukrainian pilots who have undergone intensive training under the guidance of British Royal Air Force instructors have graduated from flight school, the British Ministry of Defense reported on Friday on the British government's website, UNN reports.
The 10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK and will one day form the first line of defence in protecting Ukraine’s skies from Putin’s forces. The cohort will now move to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before learning to fly F-16 fighter jets
Details
The British Ministry of Defense said the effort was the country's key contribution to the aviation coalition led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands.
The British Ministry of Defense indicated that "while the UK does not operate the F-16 fighter jets which Ukraine has chosen to form the core of its modernised air force, the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have consistently urged partners and allies to back an international programme to provide training and jets to the Ukrainians, which is scheduled to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine by summer 2024."
As part of the training, as noted, "the pilots were taught general aircraft handling, flying by the aircraft’s instruments, low level navigation and advanced formation flying by experienced RAF instructors." "They also received English language training to assist in their training and to boost interoperability with NATO air forces – with English the standardised international flight language," the statement said.
"Having worked closely with the French Air Force to align our training programmes, the pilots will now continue to France to conduct advanced flight training before they progress to training on the F-16 aircraft itself," the British MoD said.
"The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine, with £2.5bn already earmarked for further military support through 2024, including a recently announced £325m of bilateral support to provide more than 10,000 advanced drones, and £245m to continue to provide much-needed artillery ammunition," the British MoD said.
