F-16 manufacturer ready to participate in training of Ukrainian pilots and technicians 

This was said by the Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, Frank St. John, according to the Financial Times

St. John mentioned that discussions among Ukraine, the United States, and other Western allies will determine Lockheed Martin's involvement in Ukrainian training. The company is prepared to fulfill Ukraine's requirements for new F-16 aircraft and any modifications, as well as providing training, equipment, and systems.

He praised the Ukrainian military's impressive ability to quickly grasp Western weapons systems like the GMLRS guided missile systems and Javelin anti-tank missile systems, which the company manufactures. He expressed confidence that Ukrainian pilots will effectively learn to operate the F-16 and utilize it efficiently in a short period.

Looking ahead, St. John mentioned that Lockheed Martin may consider establishing a production base in Ukraine or a neighboring country after the war with Russia concludes. This move would ensure a permanent presence for training and maintenance purposes.

• On May 21, U.S. President Joe Biden approved the training of Ukrainians on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory.

• Defense Ministry adviser Yuriy Sak said that Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in the fall of 2023.

• On May 25, at a meeting in the Ramstein format, it was announced that the coalition to train the Ukrainian Armed Forces with F-16s would be led by Denmark and the Netherlands and would include four other countries: Norway, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. 

• On June 14, one of the leaders of the "aviation coalition," the Netherlands, announced that training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s would begin in the coming months.

• On June 15, following the Ramstein meeting, Stoltenberg said that training on the F-16 had already begun. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin noted the rapid progress in this area, and a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force said that they wanted a quick result, but that "the process is delayed."

• The same day, it was reported that Denmark and the Netherlands plan to start training Ukrainian pilots this summer and will establish a training center in an Eastern European NATO country.

• Following the Ramstein, Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov expressed confidence that we would have a "bird coalition."