Ukraine will not have full F-16 squadron by end of 2024 - WSJ
Ukraine will not have full F-16 squadron by end of 2024 (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is unlikely to have a full squadron of F-16 fighter jets by the end of the year. It is expected that the country will receive such a number of aircraft by spring or summer of next year, citing The Wall Street Journal.
The US is shifting its focus in training Ukrainian F-16 pilots from experienced aviators to younger cadets. This decision could delay by several months the timeline for Ukraine to receive a full squadron of jets.
US officials explain that the decision was made due to a shortage of experienced Ukrainian pilots proficient in English. Some officials also said the US believes younger cadets may be more open to Western training methods.
Ukrainian pilot training is taking place in three different locations: at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, at Denmark’s Skrydstrup military air base (recently closed), and in Romania. According to WSJ, around a dozen pilots have completed the courses, with 11 currently flying in Ukraine. A Western official stated that some pilots who began training in Denmark did not complete the program.
Informed sources indicate that Ukraine is unlikely to have a full F-16 squadron (20 aircraft and 40 pilots to operate them) until at least spring or summer of next year.
According to a person familiar with the program, eight Ukrainian cadets, who last year learned basic jet flight skills on Alpha Jet trainers in France, began F-16 training in Romania last month. Another eight experienced pilots are finishing F-16 training in Arizona and will arrive in Ukraine at the beginning of next year.
F-16s already in Ukraine
In August 2024, it was officially confirmed that Ukraine received its first F-16 fighter jets from international partners. However, the Ukrainian command said that this will not change the situation on the battlefield. Ukraine is awaiting further deliveries of aircraft.
Ukraine has already lost one of the delivered F-16s. This occurred during a massive enemy attack on August 26. The aircraft had downed four targets and was preparing for another when it lost communication. The crash resulted in the death of pilot Oleksii Mes, callsign Moonfish.
More about the first loss of the F-16 and about pilot Oleksii Mes can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
