War may enter new phase as US outlines plans to train Ukrainians to operate F-16 jets
The Netherlands and Denmark have announced their intentions to make F-16 aircraft from their fleets available to Ukraine. (Photo: USAF)
The training plan means that within the next 12 months the Russian air force is likely to be facing off against fourth-generation F-16 fighter aircraft, perhaps even as early as a 2024 spring or summer offensive, a situation which would remove one of Russia’s greatest advantages.
A key aspect of Russia’s ability to withstand the current Ukrainian offensive is its dominance of the skies and facing off against F-16s with advanced weapons, particularly long-range and stand-off, and incentivised pilots in the cockpit will substantially diminish that.
The announcement that the US DoD would soon begin training Ukrainian pilots was made by Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig Gen Pat Ryder on 24 August and follows commitments to supply fighters from NATO countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands.
Related Articles
Norway to explore options for training Ukrainian F-16 pilots
US greenlights NATO F-16s for Ukraine but jets excluded from current counter offensive
Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2024)
‘The training provided by the US will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already under way in Europe and further deepens our support for the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands,’ Ryder said.
‘Moving forward we will remain in close consultation with the Danes, the Dutch and other allies to ensure US training complements the broader coalition training efforts.’
The training is expected to begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will be facilitated by the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing.
The pilots will also be trained in the English language to deal with the complexities and specifics of the aircraft but training on the actual aircraft will vary from between five months and eight months, depending on the trainee’s ability.
The training will include a series of courses ranging from basic flight training to instruction on fighter fundamentals, weapons employment, combat manoeuvring and tactical intercepts among other concepts.
More from Training
-
Royal Jordanian Air Force takes delivery of five new Bell 505 aircraft at Farnborough
The five helicopters complete an order of 10 Bell 505s placed in 2022.
-
Australia’s ‘Top Gun’ exercise in Top End reaches unprecedented scale in face of Chinese military build up
Fast-jet exercise focuses on interoperability and cooperation between allies amid growing regional security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region.
-
US Navy contracts for EW training flight hours awarded
The electronic warfare (EW) jets contract is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, with work scheduled to begin in August 2024 and completed in August 2029.
-
Rheinmetall receives rocket order from German armed forces for Tiger helicopters
The Tiger attack helicopter was developed for the French and German armies, prior to also being procured by Spain and Australia, with a total of 185 ordered. Germany, however, has planned to retire its 55-strong fleet.
-
How US marines and sailors trained for humanitarian assistance in Indo-Pacific region
US Marine Corps and US Navy personnel enhanced their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities during a training exercise in Papua New Guinea.