UK completes basic training for 200 Ukrainian future F-16 pilots

The latest graduation was attended by UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Ukraine's Ambassador Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Oct 24, 2024 - 22:00

UK completes basic training for 200 Ukrainian future F-16 pilots

uk completes basic training 200 ukrainian future f-16 pilots who completed uk’s flight program

The United Kingdom has reached a significant milestone in its support for Ukraine’s Air Force capabilities, having trained 200 Ukrainian pilots through its Royal Air Force elementary flying program, UK Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP announced on 22 October, adding that “These pilots will soon be flying Ukrainian F-16s.”

The UK training program includes basic flying instruction, ground school, and language training, as per earlier reports. Since Britain does not operate American-made F-16s, it focuses on providing initial flight training for young Ukrainian Air Force pilots.

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) reports that the latest graduation ceremony was attended by UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Ukrainian Ambassador to the, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi at RAF Cranwell.

UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi (seated in the center) with Ukrainian pilots who completed their basic training in Britain. Photo: Telegram/Вілерій Залужний

The program’s graduates will proceed to advanced “fast jet training and F-16 conversion with partner nations,” RAF says. Previous graduates from the British program continued their training on Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet trainer aircraft in France.

Did you know the UK has now trained 200 Ukrainian pilots?
Today I attended the graduation of the latest pilots from the RAF’s training programme. These pilots will soon be flying Ukrainian F-16s.
Britain will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes
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