WASHINGTON: The Pentagon announced Thursday it would start training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in the US starting in September so they can use the aircraft against Russian troops.
Kyiv has long sought these fighter jets so as to better fight the Russian attack, and is now engaged in a counter-offensive aimed at retaking territory held by Russia, AFP reported.
Washington to Start Training Ukraine F-16 Pilots Next Month: Pentagon
The United States training will involve “several” pilots and personnel to maintain the jets, said Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder. He said that these pilots would be conducting language training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas in the next month prior to taking part in F-16 flying training in Arizona” the following month. He maintained that the Arizona training program will take place at Morris Air National Guard Base.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke Thursday and also discussed the training program, the White House added. The US President reiterated Washington’s commitment to help Ukraine’s defense against Russian attack for as long as it takes, and to hold Moscow accountable for its acts,” the White House maintained.
Read Also: Norway to Donate F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine
The US program increases plans already announced by European countries to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s.
Last week the US told the Netherlands and Denmark they can transfer their F-16 jets to Kyiv when the country’s pilots are trained to use these jets.
Norway would provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in order to enhance its air force capabilities and capacity, Norwegian media reported on Thursday.
Norway will become the third nation to offer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Earlier this week, the Netherlands and Denmark announced to donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, following a visit by Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s President, to both countries.
