The first cohort of Ukrainian pilots slated to fly American F-16 fighter jets will not complete training until the summer of next year, according to reports in a major Western newspaper. Senior Ukrainian military officials are cited as the source for these timelines.
The newspaper explains that the initial phase will commence in January and will involve six pilots, a number that represents half of Ukraine’s current combat-capable aircrew. Two additional pilots are designated as reserve personnel. This staged approach reflects a deliberate plan to build a core cadre of trained aviators before expanding the program to broader numbers as soon as practical.
Following the first group, a second cohort is expected to begin training, though observers warn that Western partners may push back the schedule into late 2024. A common reason cited by the paper’s contacts is the pilots’ English proficiency. The report notes that participants will first undergo a four-month preparatory course to master the terminology associated with modern air combat.
The article also points to potential policy tensions between Kyiv and its foreign allies. While the West has identified the F-16 as a cornerstone of long-term defense capabilities, Ukraine is publicly pressing for rapid access to additional weapons and more immediate military support.
Earlier in the week, President Joe Biden gave the green light to training Ukrainian pilots to operate the F-16, and the program is described as a collaborative effort among Western nations to design a training framework that can be deployed quickly across allied air forces.
Previously reported material in the public domain discusses the departure and status of strategic aviation units within Russia, providing a comparative backdrop to the evolving Ukrainian program and the broader regional security dynamics. [Source: Washington Post] [Context: Western defense cooperation and training initiatives]