UK Defence Ministry posts photos of Ukrainian pilots training to fly Western jets – photo
The UK Ministry of Defence has released images of the first Ukrainian military pilots who have completed basic training to operate Western-made fighter jets.
Source: UK Ministry of Defence on X (Twitter)
Details: The ministry shared several photos of the Ukrainian pilots and said that they were the first to have undergone "intensive training" under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors.
👉 The first Ukrainian pilots to have undergone intensive training under the guidance of @RoyalAirForce instructors have graduated.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 23, 2024
They will now move onto the next stage of training in France. 🇫🇷#StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/33aHd7kc6B
"They will now move onto the next stage of training in France," the ministry said.
Background:
- On 22 March, the UK Ministry of Defence said that a total of 10 Ukrainian military pilots had completed the basic flight training course in the UK to fly Western fighter jets under the guidance of Royal Air Force instructors.
- Although the UK does not operate the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has chosen to form the core of its modernised air force, the UK Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have consistently called on partners and allies to support an international programme to train and provide Western fighter jets to Ukraine.
- As part of this support programme, the first F-16s are scheduled to be delivered to Ukraine in the summer of 2024.
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated the UK's intention to support the Air Power Coalition last year by providing basic flight training for Ukrainians. The RAF will continue to support the next generation of Ukrainian pilots and ground staff.
- In December 2023, it was reported that the first group of six Ukrainian pilots had completed their basic training with the Royal Air Force and had begun training to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.
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