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Czechia handed over the first F-16 fighter jet trainer to one of Ukraine's tactical aviation brigades, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram on May 10.
Main module of the simulator is already being tested and prepared for operation by Ukrainian specialists.
“Of course, in addition to F-16s themselves, we need to create a powerful training and material base for our pilots," Oleshchuk added.
"I urge our allies to join this initiative."
F-16 fighters for Ukraine
The Netherlands and Denmark promised in August 2023 to jointly provide Ukraine with 61 American F-16 fighter jets. This was preceded by a transfer authorization from the United States.
Norway has also confirmed its intention to supply F-16s. Belgium will also provide Ukraine with F-16s, but in 2025.
The Netherlands announced its decision to begin preparations for the transfer of the first 18 aircraft to Ukraine in December, and later increased this number to 24. In total, the country has promised Kyiv 42 fighters.
The tentative timeline for the delivery of the fighter jets to Ukraine was the first half of 2024.
Foreign Policy reported on Feb. 18, 2024, citing European officials, that the first F-16s would arrive in Ukraine around June 2024. Commenting on this, the then spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat, noted that it was impossible to talk about specific dates for the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine by foreign partners.
The UK government announced on March 22 that the first 10 Ukrainian pilots had completed basic flight, ground, and language training on F-16 fighters in Britain. The military will now move on to advanced flight training provided by the French Air Force.
Western F-16 fighter jets should appear in Ukraine's skies in mid-summer, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on March 27.
Dutch Defense Minister Kees Ollongren on May 6 announced that country plans to start sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in fall. At the same time, Danish Ambassador to Kyiv Ole Egberg Mikkelsen said that planes would arrive this summer.
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