F-16 training will be completed by Ukraine's first group of pilots no earlier than next summer 

Unnamed officials told the Washington Post.

“Just six pilots, about half a squadron, will go through the first round of training, according to two Ukrainian officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to address a sensitive matter. Two other pilots have been identified as reserve candidates,” the statement reads.

Although the pilots are already fluent in English, officials say they must first attend four months of English classes in Britain to learn jet-related terminology. This training will take place alongside ground staff, although the latter will not be required to be fluent in English.

As a result, combat training, which is expected to last approximately six months, is postponed until January, Ukrainian officials said. The second group will be ready in six months, or around the end of next year.

"Another 20 Ukrainian pilots are ready for English training, U.S. officials said, adding that most of Ukraine’s best pilots are expected to remain in Ukraine, where they are flying sorties in Soviet-developed planes and firing French SCALP and British Storm Shadow missiles," the newspaper writes.

F-16 fighters for Ukraine

• 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.

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

• In July Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that the first F-16 fighter jets are likely to fly in Ukraine's skies by the end of March 2024.

• On Sunday, July 16, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the US would not postpone training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, and Biden allowed European countries to start training.

• On July 22, Sullivan also said that Ukrainian pilots would begin training on F-16s in the next few weeks.