Czech Republic Offers More Support For Ukrainian Air Force Pilot Training
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala says the Czech Republic is ready to step up its contribution to the training of Ukrainian soldiers, particularly in training Ukrainian Air Force pilots learning to pilot the F-16s being donated by European NATO allies to Ukraine.
“We are ready to deepen our contribution to the training of the Ukrainian military. We have agreed that together with our partners from the ‘coalition of the willing’ we will train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and L-39s”, said Fiala during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelensky on May 5.
Fiala said it was possible for Ukrainian F-16 pilots to undergo training at the Czech Air Force’s Namest nad Oslavou air base, noting that Ukrainian pilots already use Czech-built L-39 advanced trainer aircraft for pilot training.
The day before, Zelensky said he had discussed the creation of an Ukrainian-Czech “F-16 school” with Czech President Petr Pavel, noting that Russian attacks made such a facility in Ukraine unfeasible. According to Zelensky, the meeting resulted in the Czech Republic’s support for “implementing relevant decisions” for the creation of such a school.
Ukrainian F-16 pilots have previously been trained in Denmark and the United States, with the European F-16 Training Centre in Romania also linked to training efforts for Ukrainian F-16 pilots.
Also discussed during Zelensky’s two day visit to the Czech Republic was the Czech shell initiative, with the Kyiv Independent quoting Pavel as saying that Prague expects to deliver 1.8 million artillery shells to Ukraine’s military by the end of 2025, after delivering 1.5 million shells in 2024.
Other discussions included continued Czech support for Ukraine’s European Union accession, energy cooperation, cooperation on infrastructure development, as well as meetings with Czech defense contractors on Ukrainian-Czech defense cooperation.
Earlier on May 2, the United States’ State Department announced it had approved the sale to Ukraine of a $310.5 million package of F-16 spare parts and upgrade parts, personnel training, and logistical support.