Ukrainian pilots start F-16 training in Denmark
Ukrainian pilots in Denmark start training on F-16s (GettyImages)
The first group of Ukrainian pilots has completed the basic training program in the UK and started training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark, according to the press service of the UK Ministry of Defense.
The training began in August and included piloting and special training in aviation terminology in English.
It is noted that the group was formed of six experienced Ukrainian fighter pilots. Another ten Ukrainian trainee pilots took part in the language training and remain in the UK.
They will continue their physical and practical basic flight training. They will also study aviation medicine.
F-16 for Ukraine
Earlier, Ukraine's allies announced the creation of an aviation coalition to provide the country with modern fighters, including F-16s. The coalition was led by the Netherlands and Denmark.
In the fall, Politico reported that Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s in the United States, and on October 25, they began flying F-16s. Before that, they had been training on simulators, flight simulators that fully recreated the cockpit.
On December 22, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Dutch government had decided to prepare the first 18 F-16s for delivery to Ukraine. For his part, during the talks, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Dutch government for its decision on these aircraft.
Earlier, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat explained that the F-16s transferred to Ukraine would need to be slightly modernized to be as good as Russian aircraft.
