Espreso Global Military news First Greek F-16 maintenance officer arrives in Kyiv

First Greek F-16 maintenance officer arrives in Kyiv

2 June, 2024 Sunday

18:53

The first specialist from the Greek Air Force, who will help the Ukrainian Defense Forces maintain Western F-16 combat aircraft, has arrived in Kyiv

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The Greek military portal Defenсe-Point reported the information, citing its own sources on June 2.

"Ukraine now has the first officer from the Greek Air Force in Kyiv, serving as a trainer for Ukrainians in the operation of F-16 fighters donated by various NATO member states," the report states.

The outlet emphasizes that over nearly four decades of operating F-16s and due to the "persistent Turkish threat," the Greek Air Force "has amassed extensive experience and expertise in the operational deployment of the fighter in air-to-air missions, particularly in close air combat."

On May 21, 2023, 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.
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 August 17, 2023, the United States approved the shipment of F-16 multi-role fighters to Ukraine.
At the same time, Denmark said it would supply Ukraine with the aircraft if they were not used in Russia.
The Netherlands will provide 42 fighter jets. At the same time, Norway will provide Ukraine with F-16s, but the exact number is unknown.
On September 15, 2023, Belgium joined the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Earlier, the Belgian Defense Ministry said it would not provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters because they are outdated and in poor condition. Such aircraft are dangerous to operate.
On October 11, 2023, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that the country would be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in March-April 2024.
On October 12, 2023, the media reported that the Netherlands would send F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots would begin training in a few weeks.
On October 26, 2023, Ukrainian pilots began flight training on F-16s at an air base in Arizona, USA.
On November 1, 2023, the Pentagon said that the training in Arizona could last from 5 to 9 months.
In early January 2024, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said that Ukrainian pilots would complete training on F-16 fighter jets this year.