Ten Ukrainian pilots have already completed the basic training course on F-16 fighter jets, reports the press service of the Defense Department of the UK.
"The first Ukrainian pilots to have undergone intensive training under the guidance of the Royal Air Force instructors have graduated," the caption to the photo reads.
According to the department, the Ukrainian pilots will then move on to the next stage of training in France.
"The 10 pilots have undergone basic flight, ground and language training in the UK and will one day become the first line of defense, protecting Ukraine's skies from Russian troops," the Ukrainian General Staff said.
One of the Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots said he enjoyed being in the UK and participating in the training program.
"The course was challenging and interesting, it made me a better pilot. I am grateful to the UK for supporting Ukraine, and I am also personally grateful to the RAF instructors for preparing me for the future," he said.
Graduation of the first pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who trained on the F-16 (photo: twitter.com/DefenceHQ and facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua)
F-16 for Ukraine
Last year, Denmark and the Netherlands promised to provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 fighter jets. Before deliveries can begin, pilots and maintenance personnel must be trained. Ukraine, for its part, has to prepare the necessary infrastructure for the fighters.
Former Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said earlier that the training of the first group of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s in the United States should be completed in early summer.
Meanwhile, The New York Times noted that 12 Ukrainian pilots will be ready for combat missions on F-16s by this summer. However, there are not enough planes for all of them.
The Pentagon said that F-16 fighters would provide Ukraine with a "unique air capability." At the same time, they can only be used within the sovereign territory.
