The proposed plan in Washington would allocate one hundred million dollars to train Ukrainian pilots for operating American F-16 and F-15 fighter jets. The propulsion behind the measure is tied to a Republican initiative led by Adam Kinzinger, a former lieutenant colonel in the United States Air National Guard. He described training sites in Mississippi and Texas, with a three‑month target window for the program.
Observers in Moscow say that period is not sufficient for a complete transition. A Russian military analyst noted that while a pilot already proficient in a similar-class aircraft might grasp basic takeoff, landing, and flight procedures within three months, mastering air combat tactics, formation flying, and the specific operating modes of the F‑16 and F‑15 would require significantly longer. He emphasized that the Ukrainian pilots would be learning a very different aircraft compared with the MiG‑29 and Su‑27 and that the strategic approach to air warfare in the American fleet differs substantially. The analyst warned that the three‑month plan could leave pilots trained for basic piloting rather than for organized combat missions.
The same expert also pointed out that training the maintenance and technical personnel responsible for servicing the fighters would be even more challenging and likely extend well beyond three months. Language barriers could complicate clear communication between Ukrainian crews and American instructors unless translations are used. There are additional infrastructure hurdles, including the need to upgrade or rebuild airbases to accommodate takeoffs and landings for large American jets, updating lighting and taxiways, and ensuring hangar space and on‑site repair capabilities.
Other voices suggest that where Ukrainian pilots receive training remains an open question. One military analyst suggested that lessons could occur in the United States, although the cost and logistics would be high. An alternative possibility is training within nearby Poland, which already operates a fleet of about fifty fighter aircraft. Even a pilot already familiar with the Su‑27 or MiG‑29 would face a retraining process that could extend to several months, given the stark differences in flight control interfaces and air‑to‑air engagement tactics between the old platforms and the American fighters.
At this stage, the discussion centers on pilot training in preparation for potential deployment of American fighters in Ukraine. Washington has not committed to delivering F‑16s or F‑15s, and no formal decision has been announced by the White House. Earlier indications from the United States suggested reluctance to supply Soviet‑era aircraft to Kyiv and resistance from some allies who hoped to receive more modern American platforms in return.
Analysts note that even if Ukrainian crews eventually access American fighters, the numbers would be limited. One analyst argued that Ukraine might see at most a couple of squadrons, while stressing that the broader military purpose could be driven as much by political and economic considerations as by military advantage. If such a program proceeds, it would be framed as a financing arrangement benefiting domestic defense contractors, with funds drawn from the U.S. budget as part of ongoing defense trade discussions. This framing has drawn skepticism from several security analysts who warn against assuming immediate operational benefits from pilot and support crew training that may not translate into battlefield readiness. [Citation: Defense News] [Citation: MilSpec Commentary]