Czechia to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 and L-39 as part of Coalition of the Willing
Photo: Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (Getty Images)
Czechia, together with partners from the Coalition of the Willing, will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 and L-39 fighter jets, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala says during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague.
According to him, Czechia is ready to deepen its contribution to the training of the Ukrainian military.
"We have agreed that together with our partners that we will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 and L-39. The training will take place here at the bases in Czechia. Ukraine trains fighter pilots on Czech models that are supplied to Ukraine," Fiala said.
Czechia to train Ukrainian pilots
Yesterday, on May 4, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel that Ukraine and Czechia had agreed to establish a joint school to train F-16 fighter pilots. According to him, the partners are already working on the project.
F-16 for Ukraine
In 2023, Ukraine and its allies created an aviation coalition to provide Ukraine with F-16 combat aircraft. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs at least 128 F-16 fighters.
In 2024, Ukraine received the first F-16 fighters from its partners. At the same time, it is not yet known how many planes Ukraine has received. The first F-16s were delivered to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark.
In March of this year, Zelenskyy announced that a new batch of F-16s had arrived in Ukraine.
Belgium will provide Ukraine with 30 fighters by the end of 2028.
In early April, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said that additional F-16s were being prepared for delivery to Ukraine. He did not specify which country was planning the delivery.
TWZ recently reported that the United States has sent decommissioned F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. These fighters will be used for spare parts.
The first Ukrainian pilots have already completed training on the fighter jets, and the Ukrainian Air Force recently revealed an interview with a Ukrainian pilot who has mastered the F-16.
