After F-16 training in the US, Ukrainian pilots head to Europe
24 May 2024 15:36
Ukrainian pilots have returned to Europe for further training after completing F-16 exercises in the United States. Ilya Evlash, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said this during a telethon, [lomersant] reports
Yevlash said that the training process of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 is not over.
“The training process is not over. Now the pilots are returning to Europe and will continue to prepare in order to arrive in Ukraine and continue their tasks. In fact, this process is ongoing, unstoppable,”
– he said.
The Air Force spokesperson noted that in addition to pilots, engineers are also being trained.
“Not only pilots are being trained, but also engineers who will perform their tasks and share their experience with their colleagues in Ukraine to effectively repel enemy air attacks,”
– yevlash added.
He noted that Ukraine’s receipt of F-16 aircraft will be a certain reinforcement.
“We are in great need of aircraft, of updating our aircraft fleet. Now, unfortunately, we have Soviet aircraft that are outdated. However, these aircraft will be able to strengthen our airspace in terms of patrolling. They will be able to perform other tasks, for example, strike at the front line, at the line of contact with the enemy,”
– yevlash summarised.
It should be noted that during an online briefing with foreign media while in Warsaw, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the process of transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is currently going according to plan and that the combat aircraft should arrive in Ukraine in the middle of this summer.
