The United Kingdom is providing basic training to Ukrainian F-16 pilots as a contribution to the International Coalition for Ukrainian Air Force Capability.
The UK Ministry of Defense reports that the first cohort of Ukrainian pilots trained by the Royal Air Force (RAF) are learning to fly F-16 fighters in Denmark, having completed a basic training program in the UK.
The RAF began providing flying and English language training in August as part of the UK’s contribution to the International Coalition for Ukrainian Air Force Capability, in which allies and partners are working together to strengthen Ukraine’s air capabilities.
The group consisted of six experienced Ukrainian fighter fighter pilots who received specific English-language aviation training to enhance their ability to participate in coalition training and support.
Ten other Ukrainian trainee pilots participated in language training and remain in the UK to continue basic practical flight instruction, as well as to acquire important skills such as aviation medicine and high G-forces tolerance training.
“Together we’re now going further by ensuring Ukraine has a modern air force in the future, formed around the highly capable fourth-generation F-16 fighter jet. Combined with training from the world-leading RAF, this is a significant step forward from Ukraine’s current Soviet-era capabilities”, UK defense secretary Grant Shapps stated.
Ukraine will soon have its first 18 F-16 fighters from the Netherlands
Formed by the RAF
The programme is designed to give trainee pilots the skills required to advance to the next phase of training on fighter jets with partner nations and bring future Ukrainian pilots closer to a NATO standard approach to flying.
Pilots undergoing the basic flight training scheme are conducting practical lessons in Grob Tutor aircraft with experienced RAF instructors, learning general handling procedures, instrument flying, medium and low-level navigation, and formation flying.
Alongside the pilot training, dozens of Ukrainian aircraft technicians are also receiving English language training, geared towards engineering.
Once they have completed their training with the RAF, pilots will be trained by another European nation on advanced flying training. This will prepare them for training on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, overseen by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States, which lead the Air Force Capability Coalition.
UK will continue this support to Ukrainian F-16 pilots and ground crew in 2024.
