Ukrainian pilots can master F-16 in four months, technicians need more time - Reznikov

This was stated by Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, according to NV.

The official noted that public discussions are currently underway on how long it will take Ukrainian pilots to master the F-16.

"After our two pilots have been tested in the US, it is believed that up to 6 months will be enough. I'm optimistic that our experienced pilots, with their enthusiasm and passion, will probably fly faster," the Defense Minister said. "I think, 4 months is realistic. I believe so because we know how to surprise." 

In this context, he recalled that the Ukrainian military quickly mastered Western weapons. For example, while the standard training time for a Patriot air defense system crew is 10 months, Ukrainian soldiers learned in 10 weeks.

"So I am confident that the pilots will fly faster than in 6 months. However, a pilot cannot fly on his own. He needs engineers, technicians, maintenance, gunners, refuelers, and so on. This is the most complex equipment. This training course is longer than 4 months... At the same time, the infrastructure needs to be prepared: airfields need to be prepared, shelters need to be prepared, and maintenance needs to be done," Reznikov said.

• 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."