Ukrainian pilots to finally receive F-16 training after year-long delay by Biden.

The United States to Provide Flight Training for Ukrainian Pilots on F-16⁣ Fighter Jets

The Pentagon announced on⁢ Thursday that⁢ flight training for Ukrainian‍ pilots on F-16⁤ fighter⁢ jets will commence in October. This development, however, ‍faced a year-long delay ‍due to President Joe Biden’s approval⁣ process.

The⁣ training⁣ will ​begin after the pilots receive English language training next month, according to Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder. The flight training itself ⁣will take place in Arizona.

Brigadier General Ryder also mentioned that several pilots and dozens of⁢ aircraft maintenance crew will participate in the training.

In May, President Biden endorsed the training programs for ⁢Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, ⁢after initially rejecting Ukraine’s requests for fighter jets over the past year. The ⁣decision was seen as a significant step​ in strengthening ‍Ukraine’s air​ defenses and supporting ⁤its counteroffensive ⁣against Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Denmark and⁢ the Netherlands have recently pledged to donate F-16s to Ukraine, fulfilling a long-standing ⁣wish of the country. Norway’s prime minister also announced ⁢that his ⁤country⁢ would ‌provide F-16s to Ukraine.

Denmark has already started training eight Ukrainian pilots in flying ⁤F-16s. They have arrived at the Danish military air base in Skrydstrup, along ​with ‌65 personnel who ‍will be trained in maintaining and servicing the jets.

However, Ukraine recently stated that it would not be able to operate U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets during the‍ upcoming ‍autumn and winter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr​ Zelenskiy has ⁤repeatedly urged Western allies to ‍supply F-16s, as he believes it would signal an end to Russia’s​ invasion and lead to its defeat.

While the West expresses its desire⁣ to⁤ assist Ukraine in defeating Russia, ⁤it has emphasized⁣ that it does not want⁤ to provoke a direct confrontation between the U.S.-backed NATO military alliance and Moscow.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; editing by Chris Reese and ​Jonathan Oatis)