Netherlands to reserve some F-16 jets for training Ukrainian pilots: Ministry of Defense states
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren (Photo: Getty Images)
The Netherlands has 42 F-16 fighter jets, which Amsterdam will transfer to Ukraine. However, a portion of them will remain for training Ukrainian pilots, according to a statement made by the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, in an interview with "European Pravda."
"We are transitioning from F-16s to F-35s. At a certain moment, because of the war in Ukraine, we decided not to sell them. We have 42 of them but some of those airplanes will be used to train Ukrainian pilots. The others we will transfer to Ukraine," Ollongren stated.
The Minister explained that a small portion of them would be used for training, and the rest would go to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
She added that Ukraine had to meet the requirements of the Netherlands, including preparing crews and infrastructure, before being able to receive the aircraft.
"Being realistic, we’re looking at next year," she stated.
F-16 for Ukraine
Several European countries have agreed to participate in the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets as part of an aviation coalition. The training will take place in Denmark and Romania.
Additionally, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have promised to provide F-16s to Ukraine. As of now, it is known that Kyiv will receive at least 61 aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Furthermore, the United States also intends to begin training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 in the near future. Summer training will commence in October at the Morris National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona.
