US assesses possibility of training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighters

Two Ukrainian pilots have arrived in the US. According to sources, the US government plans to bring about 10 Ukrainian pilots to the country this month.

However, officials note these pilots will train on simulators and there are no plans for them to fly actual aircraft.

Ukrainian pilots are only trained on the F-16 simulator. (Illustration photo: AFP)

The training program has two goals: to improve the skills of Ukrainian pilots and to assess the time needed to train them to effectively operate the F-16 and other Western-made fighter jets.

“The program is to assess their capabilities as pilots so we can better advise on how to use the fighter jets,” a Biden administration official explained.

According to NBC, this is the first time Ukrainian pilots, who were trained to fly Soviet-designed aircraft, have participated in a flight training program in the US.

“I’m ruling that out right now. Ukraine doesn’t need F-16s right now,” President Joe Biden said last week when asked about the possibility of equipping Ukraine with US fighter jets.

“According to the Pentagon’s assessment , there is currently no basis to provide F-16s to Ukraine,” President Joe Biden said.

Ukraine has called on NATO to provide fighter jets - especially F-16s - after receiving commitments from EU countries, the US and the UK to supply dozens of Leopard 2, M1 Abrams and Challenger 2 main battle tanks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the discussions on the transfer of fighter jets to Kiev once again highlighted the growing involvement of Western countries in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Peskov reiterated Moscow's position that such actions only escalate and prolong the conflict, while not changing the final outcome of Russia's military operations.

Hoang Pham (VOV.VN)

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Source: https://vtc.vn/my-danh-gia-kha-nang-dao-tao-phi-cong-ukraine-lai-tiem-kich-f-16-ar746172.html