European Union High Representative: Ukrainian pilots already learning how to use US F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters

By: Myroslav Trinko | 22.05.2023, 14:55

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has said that Ukrainian pilots have already started training on F-16 fighter jets.

Here's What We Know

Borrell told about it at the meeting of the Council of the EU Foreign Ministers. Of course, he did not disclose any details about the training.

Earlier it became known that the USA had approved the training of Ukrainian pilots and would not block the re-export of F-16s to Ukraine, but there is no final decision on the transfer of the planes to Ukraine yet. It is only known that the Armed Forces will receive the fighters from a coalition of countries, as they did with NATO standard tanks. The aviation coalition is led by the UK and the Netherlands. By the way, according to the Adviser to the Ukrainian Defence Minister, the AFU wants to receive 40-50 US fighter jets from its partners.

Flashback

The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multifunctional light fighter. It was developed by the American company General Dynamics. Thanks to its versatility and low cost, the F-16 is a success on the international market. It is in service in 24 countries. The F-16 is the most mass-produced fighter of the fourth generation. As of 2009, more than 4,400 have been built and more than 2,500 were in service in 2016.

Source: EC