Ukrainian pilots being trained to fly F-16 Fighting Falcon without GPS - Media
Photo: F-16 Fighting Falcon (Getty Images)
Training without GPS is the new normal
Ukrainian pilots are trained from the earliest stages to carry out missions without fully relying on GPS.
This approach has become mandatory due to the active suppression of navigation signals on the battlefield.
Even during language and basic flight training in the United Kingdom, cadets practice operating in conditions where navigation is lost.
One pilot noted that the ability to fly at low altitudes without GPS is a critically important skill.
Unlike Western pilots, for whom this is a backup option, for Ukrainians, it is a daily reality.
Navigation and electronic warfare conditions
During a course organized by the Royal Air Force, pilots are taught to use natural landmarks — rivers, terrain, and other features of the landscape.
This is essential in conditions of constant signal jamming, which affects navigation, communication, and weapons guidance.
The dominance of electronic warfare is also driving the development of new solutions, including jam-resistant drones and changes in the tactics of both air and ground forces.
Training and transition to F-16
More than 50 Ukrainians have already completed basic training in the United Kingdom and will continue jet training in other countries.
They will later transition to American F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which Ukraine began receiving in 2024.
Instructors note significant progress among the cadets — from their first flights to performing complex low-altitude maneuvers and simulated combat missions.
According to another pilot, the skills gained increase confidence ahead of real missions.
Ukraine has strengthened pilot training by receiving mobile F-16 simulators, which allow for faster development of piloting skills and tactical actions.
The use of such systems helps reduce training time and improve overall effectiveness, directly impacting the country’s ability to counter missile attacks and strengthen its air defense system.
Belgium and Norway have postponed the delivery of 36 F-16 aircraft, a significant share of the total number pledged to Kyiv, affecting the timeline for strengthening the aviation component.
