F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots to begin in summer, training center to be set up in Eastern Europe - Dutch Defense Ministry

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said this during a meeting with journalists following Ramstein, Suspilne reports.

“Together with Denmark, we are planning to start a training program (for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s - ed.) as soon as possible, and we are also working on longer-term solutions, including the establishment of a training center to be located in an Eastern European country,” she said.

The minister noted that about 2 weeks ago, the countries received the green light from Washington to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

“We are working on this issue together with Denmark, we plan to start training the first batch very soon, our ambition is to start this summer. But we will see who else can offer what. We have F-16s that may be available, but we are still in the planning stage to see if it will be needed,” Ollongren said.

Answering the question of how many Ukrainian pilots will be trained, she noted that the training will start for a limited number of pilots.

“This is normal, because we will start with those who speak English, are experienced pilots, etc. And then we will expand the process based on that. Then we will move towards creating a training center where both Ukrainians and probably other NATO pilots who are also switching to the F-16 will be trained,” the Dutch Defense Minister said.

At the same time, Ollongren did not say in which country the training center would be established.

“Denmark and the Netherlands are leading this process together. The training center will be in one of the Eastern European NATO countries, but I cannot disclose which country it will be. This is a medium-term perspective,” she said.

• On May 21, US 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.

• 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 15, following the Ramstein meeting, Stoltenberg said that Ukrainian training on the F-16 had already begun. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin noted the vigorous progress in this regard, and the spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force said that they wanted a quick result, but “the process is drawn out.”