US says it will start training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets in coming months
The United States has said it will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets this autumn as Norway and other allied nations have pledged to offer the aircraft to Ukraine.
Several Ukrainian pilots will start flight training in October, the Pentagon said, along with some ground crew.
It comes after both the Netherlands and Denmark announced plans to make F-16 fighter jets from their own fleets available to Ukraine, following the US approval for the third-party transfer of US-made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
Norway's prime minister earlier this week also said the country would give F-16s to Ukraine.
A statement released by the US Department of Defence (DoD) said the United States would begin training Ukrainian F-16 pilots and ground crews in the coming months, with training expected to start in October at the Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, under the guidance of the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft which provides high-performance weapon systems to the United States and other allied nations.
Nato member states are aiming to modernise their air forces by transitioning to the advanced F-35 fighter jets, which will subsequently lead to a surplus of F-16 aircraft.
Department of Defense Press Secretary, US Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder, said: "The training provided by the United States will complement the F-16 pilot and maintenance training that's already underway in Europe and further deepens our support of the F-16 training coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands.
"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 American-led training is "in support of the international effort to develop and strengthen Ukraine's long-term defences," he added.
The F-16 is a fighter jet with excellent manoeuvrability, versatility, and a top speed of more than 1,200mph.
According to the US Department of Defense, it can spot targets in all types of weather and find low-flying aircraft among radar ground clutter.
The F-16 can fly more than 500 miles in air-to-surface missions.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also suggested that the United States was willing to approve the transfer of the US-made F-16 aircraft to Ukraine last week, despite President Joe Biden initially ruling it out.
During a briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the American Government's approval for the transfer would come after consultation with Congress and after completion of training for Ukrainian pilots on the aircraft.
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