Norway prepares its first F-16 fighters for training of Ukrainian pilots

The first F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets committed by Norway will soon be sent to Denmark to join the training program for Ukrainian pilots on this Western weapon system.

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Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram visited Bodø Air Station this week, where final preparations were made on two Norwegian F-16s to fulfill this mission. This is in addition to the ten instructors Norway is already providing for this training program. «An impressive effort has been made in the defense sector to launch the F-16 contribution in Denmark,» Minister Gram maintained.

Norway is one of the NATO coalition countries committed to the F-16 training program for Ukrainian pilots. The support will take place in a multinational framework, led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands. Norway, like Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium, decided to donate F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine. The training of Ukrainian personnel is a fundamental prerequisite for the Ukrainian Air Force to eventually be able to make effective use of this weapon system. The long-term goal is for Ukraine to be able to ensure its own security without international support.

«Ukrainian pilots have experience on other types of aircraft and are now receiving training on the F-16 system. In parallel, Ukrainian technicians are receiving training on the F-16 system in Denmark, the United States and Belgium. Supporting Ukraine with modern combat aircraft armament is an important and long-term effort, to which a number of allies and partners contribute,» says the Norwegian defense minister.

F-16 pilot training

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret) is already providing instructors for the job of training future Ukrainian F-16 pilots. The Norwegian fighters will be deployed at Skydstrup Air Base in a multinational collaborative effort led by Denmark. Other countries will also contribute to the training of Ukrainian pilots, such as Romania, where the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) center was recently opened.

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Ukraine has long been requesting support for the renewal of its fighter aviation, for which it selected the F-16 Fighting Falcon as its favorite option, given the availability of aircraft of this type that are being decommissioned by several European countries. But for these fighters to be deployed on the front line against Russia, technical personnel and pilots must first complete English language courses (specific for air operations within the NATO structure) and several young applicants also need to complete basic flight training, which is provided in the United Kingdom.