Yuriy Ignat, a spokesperson for the Air Power Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has famous that Ukraine is at the moment not ready to accommodate F-16 fighter jets, even when they have been donated by European nations. The nation at the moment lacks the mandatory infrastructure and certified pilots to function these plane.
As Ignat acknowledged throughout his look on the Rada TV channel, quite a few European leaders have proven a willingness to switch these planes to Ukraine. Nevertheless, this isn’t a possible resolution for the nation right now.
Ignat indicated that, moreover the plain requirement of the plane, there may be additionally a want for suitable infrastructure that may help the F-16s. Moreover, a deficit of pilots who’re skilled to fly these planes complicates the difficulty. “This isn’t a easy matter of getting plane. We’re speaking about aviation complexes that require a appropriate setting, outfitted airports, and specifically skilled pilots,” he emphasised.
Whereas there are ongoing speculations about when Ukraine may feasibly purchase Western plane, Ignat didn’t pinpoint a particular timeline. The Danish Ministry of Protection expressed a related viewpoint, clarifying that the supply of plane will largely rely on the readiness of Ukrainian pilots and the institution of ample logistics and infrastructure for plane upkeep in Ukraine.
In keeping with a report from the American press, which quoted a high-level US army official on the Pentagon, Ukrainian pilots will not be at the moment outfitted to deal with F-16 operations. They’re present process coaching and, in accordance with US army officers’ estimates, extra Ukrainian pilots could possibly be able to navigate the plane by late summer time of 2024.
BulgarianMilitary.com reminded readers that international locations akin to Denmark and Belgium have expressed sturdy help for coaching Ukrainian pilots utilizing their F-16s. Coaching facilities in Denmark have been constantly utilizing these plane, and Belgian-supplied F-16s will quickly be part of this system, enhancing the coaching expertise for Ukrainian pilots.
Sources from Denmark, the UK, and different Western nations have revealed that six pilots from the Ukrainian Air Power are presently gaining hands-on expertise with F-16s over Danish airspace. Moreover, roughly a dozen extra pilots are present process “dry” coaching in the UK, which begins with studying English, a essential language for his or her upcoming assignments.
Like Belgium, Denmark is awaiting the arrival of its new F-35 fleet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Sadly, the complicated integration part in america has led to supply delays, and the fleet received’t arrive per the initially scheduled timeframe. The final word aim is to switch the getting old Danish and Belgian F-16 fleet with these next-generation American fighters.
The Ukrainian Air Protection spokesperson lately expressed uncertainty concerning the timelines for the F-16 supply, stating, “I can’t affirm when Ukraine will obtain its first batch of F-16s.”
BulgarianMilitary.com referenced outgoing Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, who mentioned the nation plans to produce Ukraine with an preliminary fleet of 18 F-16 fighter jets. Nevertheless, Rutte clarified that sure stipulations have to be met earlier than this trade can happen.
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