Ukraine asks NATO countries to train Armed Forces of Ukraine pilots to fly Western aircraft

DENYS KARLOVSKYI , ROMAN ROMANIUK - THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022, 20:16

During negotiations with Western partners, the Ukrainian authorities insist on that the training of pilots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Western aircraft should begin as soon as possible.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources among Ukrainian officials informed about negotiations with Western partners

Quote from a security officer from Zelensky's team: "We say: let's send pilots to learn to fly your planes. Because soon they will still fly here anyway, even though you resist."

Details: The UP interlocutor explained that the Western partners initially resisted proposals to supply Western weapons to Ukraine. They handed over their Soviet-style weapons stockpiles, citing, in particular, the fact that Ukrainian servicemen must first acquire the skills to possess Western weapons, and so on.

However, as Western governments handed over all Soviet-style weapons stockpiles to Ukraine, the next question arose – what type of weapons to transfer in future aid packages. For example, Western partners have run out of all possible sources and ways to supply 152 mm calibre ammunition for Soviet howitzers.

Therefore, after some time, the West agreed to supply Ukraine with "NATO" 155 mm howitzers, which makes the armament of Ukrainian units compatible with NATO units.

The UP interlocutors in power believe that, in the end, all requests and proposals from Ukraine to partners in the West are coming true. Therefore, Ukrainian officials are hoping to supply aircraft, including American F-15 and F-16 fighters. To make good use of their time, Ukrainian negotiators are asking the West to start training Ukrainian pilots now.

Background :

•         On 13 April, the administration of US President Joe Biden decided to hand over 18 155 mm howitzers and 40,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine. On 21 April, in a new package of armed assistance, the US government added 72 more howitzers, 144 144 thousand ammunition and 72 tactical vehicles to tow them.
•         As of early May, Western military instructors had completed training for more than 200 Ukrainian artillerymen on 155-mm howitzers.
•         As of 9 May, almost all of the promised 90 M777 howitzers have already been delivered to Ukraine.
•         On the evening of 10 May, the US House of Representatives supported the allocation of $40 billion for a  program to strengthen Ukraine and Eastern Europe in the face of the Russian threat.
• On 9 May, President Biden signed a law on a "land lease" for Ukraine, opening the way for the quick supply of any type of weapons to Ukraine.