Officials from Ukraine’s air force report that training Ukrainian pilots in the United States demonstrates they can become proficient with the F-16 fighter aircraft in under six months. The remarks came during an interview conducted for a major British publication.
According to the air force’s chief of aviation, two Ukrainian pilots spent three weeks in the United States training on an F-16 simulator and practicing joint flight operations with weapons. The assessment indicates strong results: Ukrainian pilots can learn to maneuver the F-16 aircraft and operate its weapon systems in less than six months.
The aviation leadership notes that the most talented Ukrainian pilots may complete the program in the shortest feasible timeframe, underscoring the potential for rapid capability development among select personnel.
In a separate update, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a television interview that discussions occurred with U.S. President Joe Biden about possible initiation of training for Ukrainian forces to operate F-16 warplanes.
Earlier reports from the Turkish Anadolu Agency cited a senior U.S. military official confirming that two Ukrainian pilots were in the United States beginning fighter training, which includes instruction on F-16 aircraft.
Historically, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to launch a special operation in response to requests for assistance from the heads of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. That move was described as a justification for new sanctions imposed by the United States and allied nations.