Ukraine plans to send “several dozen” combat pilots for training to fly US-manufactured F16 fighter jets, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat says.
“Everything is being done to get it started as early as possible,” Ihnat told Ukrainian national television, adding that the pilots picked for training would have combat experience.
“It’s not training – it’s retraining.”
Ukraine, which has launched a long-awaited counteroffensive, has repeatedly said it needs new Western aircraft to successfully counter Russia’s aerial dominance.
NATO members the Netherlands and Denmark are leading efforts by an international coalition to train pilots and support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately supply F16s to Ukraine.
Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren told Reuters this week training Ukrainian pilots to fly F16s could begin as soon as summer.
She said the aim would be to have the training program fully operational within six months.
Denmark, where there are flight simulators, is a possible location to host the program.
A final decision has not yet been taken on a request from Kyiv to supply dozens of F16s, Ollongren said.
The US-backed training program will include Belgium and Luxembourg, while France and Britain have offered assistance, she said.