First Batch Of Ukrainian Pilots Complete UK Basic Training
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence announced Tuesday that the first batch of Ukrainian Air Force pilots to undergo basic training in the UK have now graduated.
The six experienced Ukrainian combat fighter pilots are now training in Denmark to fly the F-16s pledged by a coalition of several European nations to the Ukrainian Air Force, after receiving aviation-specific English language training to increase their ability to engage with coalition training and support.
Ten other Ukrainian trainee pilots have received the language training as well, but are still continuing practical basic flight training. Other skills the trainees will receive include aviation medicine and centrifuge training. The UK is also providing English language training to “dozens” of Ukrainian aircraft technicians, with their courses geared towards engineering.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the basic flight training program is intended to give trainee pilots the skills needed for the next training phases with other nations in the F-16 coalition, and to “bring future Ukrainian pilots closer to a NATO standard approach to flying”.
Trainee pilots receive practical lessons in Grob Tutor aircraft with experienced Royal Air Force instructors, with skills taught in basic training including general handling procedures, instrument flying, medium and low-level navigation, and formation flying.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said he was proud of the support provided by the RAF to the Ukrainian trainees, noting that the UK had been instrumental in building Ukrainian air defense capabilities against Russian aircraft, missile and drone attacks that targeted Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
“Together we’re now going further by ensuring Ukraine has a modern air force in the future, formed around the highly capable fourth-generation F-16 fighter jet. Combined with training from the world-leading RAF, this is a significant step forward from Ukraine’s current Soviet-era capabilities.”
On December 22, Dutch defense minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that the Netherlands was preparing to deliver an initial batch of 18 F-16s to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, no detailed schedule was provided, with the defense ministry stating that the granting of export licenses, trained Ukrainian pilots and ground crew, and suitable infrastructure in Ukraine were among the criteria needed for further progress on the transfer.
In an appearance on Ukrainian television on December 23, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Colonel Yurii Ihnat said that Ukrainian F-16 training was going according to plan, although he conceded that no F-16s would be delivered before the end of the year. According to Ihnat, Ukrainian F-16s will receive upgrades before delivery, in particular radar enhancements improving range and tracking capabilities.