First Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Finish Training in UK

The development comes days after Dutch military officials confirmed the Netherlands is beginning to prepare 18 F-16 jets for delivery to Ukraine.

"I want to express deep gratitude to the government of the United Kingdom and Secretary of State for Defense [Grant Shapps] for providing basic training to Ukraine's combat air pilots," Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's minister of defense, said Tuesday.

"Ukraine highly values the pilot training that the UK and other partners are providing to help us prepare for operating F-16s in Ukraine," Umerov added in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "This is a very significant contribution to the international Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine. For us it is vital to equip Ukrainian pilots with the skills they need in the war against Russia."

According to British defense officials, the Ukrainian pilots began their training in the U.K. in August.

"The group was formed of six experienced Ukrainian combat fighter pilots who received aviation-specific English language training to increase their ability to engage with coalition training and support," the British Ministry of Defense said Tuesday.

An additional 10 pilots have completed language training and are set to continue practical basic flight training, aviation medicine and centrifuge training, according to the ministry.

"While Ukraine was highly vulnerable to attack from Russian aircraft, drones, and missiles in the early months of the invasion, with support from the U.K. and our allies, its armed forces are now able to intercept and destroy the overwhelming majority of incoming ordnance—protecting their civilian population and vital infrastructure," Shapps said. "Together we’re now going further by ensuring Ukraine has a modern air force in the future, formed around the highly capable fourth-generation F-16 fighter jet. Combined with training from the world-leading RAF, this is a significant step forward from Ukraine’s current Soviet-era capabilities."

The basic flight training included practical lessons in Grob Tutor aircraft with RAF flight instructors and was focused on general handling procedures, instrument flying, medium and low-level navigation, and formation flying. 

The Netherlands is set to make at least 18 of its F-16s available to Ukraine, Dutch Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren told the country’s House of Representatives Friday. 

The transfer will not be immediate, however. A license is required and must be granted for the export of military technology and equipment, which applies to the fighter jets, the Dutch ministry of defense said. Other criteria must be met as well, including the training of personnel and  allocation of suitable infrastructure in Ukraine. The fighter jets must also undergo an inspection, and some may require an overhaul, according to the ministry.

The F-16s will improve Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, Ollongren told lawmakers.

"This is of major importance because there seems to be no end in sight to Russia’s ongoing aggression," the ministry said in a statement. "Dutch support for Ukraine will therefore continue unabated."