Media reports Kiev conflicting with West over F-16 drills
Date
6/23/2024 8:26:50 AM
(MENAFN) media reports indicate that Ukraine may encounter significant limitations in utilizing the F-16 fighter jets donated by Western allies, as the Ukrainian Air Force is expected to have only a small number of trained pilots available this year. According to Politico, which reported on Thursday, Kiev's allies within the 'F-16 coalition' plan to deliver up to 60 of these United States-designed aircraft throughout the year. However, there are concerns that only 20 Ukrainian pilots will be fully trained by the end of the year.
Sources cited in the report highlight that the United States and its coalition partners are reluctant to allocate additional training spots beyond what has been agreed upon. This decision is based on the need to accommodate pilots from other nations currently operating F-16s, whose demands for training slots are also pressing.
A US official interviewed by Defense News underscored the challenge, noting, "That’s just a handful of pilots, and that’s just the pilots." The operational readiness of F-16 jets involves not only trained pilots but also the availability of maintenance crews and a steady supply of advanced weaponry, which are both costly and currently in short supply among donor states.
Politico further elaborated on the training efforts, detailing that Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training at two main locations. Twelve pilots are expected to graduate from the Morris Air National Guard base in Tucson, Arizona by September. Additionally, eight pilots are slated to complete courses at a training facility in Denmark, which will cease operations in November.
Looking forward, Lockheed Martin, the American manufacturer of the F-16, is set to launch a third training program in Romania. This initiative aims to train eight Ukrainian pilots next year, in addition to welcoming another eight soon to be arriving in Tucson, as per sources cited by Politico.
Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson for the Arizona National Guard emphasized that numerous factors influence the acceptance of foreign trainees, including funding availability, specific country requests, the completion of English proficiency requirements, and the allocation of training slots.
The complexities surrounding pilot training underscore the logistical and operational challenges facing Ukraine as it integrates new F-16 jets into its air defense strategy amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
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