According to the British and Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the first Ukrainian pilots completed basic training for F-16 fighters in the UK. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been directing training programs for Ukrainian pilots since August. The project includes the use of the Grobb T1 Junior Trainer to teach English lessons and impart skills such as general handling procedures, instrument flight, low- and intermediate navigation and formation flight. It should be noted that the RAF does not have F-16 fighters. Currently, at least six Ukrainian pilots have completed basic training programs in the UK and are being trained in Denmark to fly American-made F-16 fighter jets.
The pilots have traveled to Joint Base San Antonio-Lachlan, Texas, for English training to prepare them for communication with Western pilots and crews. They will receive up to six months of training in English, after which they will be required to complete other subjects on a jet trainer and an F-16 two-seater. This process will test their combat skills and English proficiency. The UK Ministry of Defence said the "aviation-specific English training" was designed to help Ukrainian pilots "improve their ability to participate in the training and support of coalition forces". In the past, proficiency in English was considered a prerequisite for Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16.
To address this, the UK has provided comprehensive English training for Ukrainian pilots to ensure that they are better able to communicate with Western pilots and cabin crews. It is worth noting that Ukraine has been sending pilots with experience in piloting Soviet serial fighters to learn how to fly the F-16. However, basic flight training in the UK will allow them to gain additional knowledge of NATO standard practices and procedures, which will help expedite their mastery of F-16 piloting skills.
Once the Ukrainian pilots have completed their RAF training, they will travel to another European country for advanced flight training to prepare for training on F-16 fighter jets supervised by the Air Force Capabilities Alliance, led by Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States. In addition to pilot training, 10 Ukrainian trainee pilots are undergoing language training and will continue to receive practical basic flight training, as well as learning important skills such as aviation medicine and centrifuge training, the UK Ministry of Defense added. In addition, dozens of Ukrainian aircraft technicians are also receiving engineering-oriented training in English. Ukrainian pilots will also be trained to fly F-16 fighter jets in Arizona, USA.
Romania equips Ukraine with F-16s and has created a training center in support of the Air Force Capabilities Alliance. The Dutch authorities confirmed that the country is ready to hand over 18 F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force, while Denmark** has pledged to supply 19 such fighters. Norway has also said it will provide Ukraine with an unknown number of jets. All of these countries are actively supporting the development and modernization of the Ukrainian Air Force in order to increase its combat capabilities.