Biden says US will support training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets - CNN

The United States will support efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to fly fourth-generation aircraft, including F-16 fighters. Ukrainian pilots are likely to be trained in Europe.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision to support the joint efforts of coalition partners to support Ukraine to the leaders of the G7 countries during the first day of the G7 Summit in Japan on May 19. While Ukrainian pilots are learning Western aviation, the US and its partners will decide who, when and in what quantities will provide Ukraine with modern fighter jets, CNN writes, citing sources in the White House.

"President Joe Biden told G7 leaders on Friday that the United States will support joint efforts with allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots in fourth-generation aircraft, including the F-16, a senior administration official told CNN," the publication writes.

The source shared with journalists that the Ukrainian pilots will not be trained in the United States: the training is almost 100% likely to take place in Europe. However, American experts will take part in the training programme for Ukrainian pilots alongside their European counterparts.

The training is expected to last for several months. During this time, the newspaper writes, the issue of providing Ukraine with the fighter jets it has requested should be resolved.

"As the training takes place in the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when to actually provide the aircraft, how many we will provide, and who will provide them," the source told CNN.

According to him, "to date, the United States and our allies and partners have focused on providing Ukraine with the vast majority of the systems, weapons and training needed to conduct offensive operations this spring and summer. Discussions about improving the Ukrainian Air Force reflect our long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defence."

The publication recalled that back in March, the United States hosted two Ukrainian pilots at a military base in Tucson, Arizona, to assess their skills in using flight simulators and to make a forecast of how long it would take them to learn to fly various US military aircraft, including the F-16. The US Congress has allocated money in the 2023 budget for such training.

Also, according to CNN, the Biden administration has made it clear to European allies in recent weeks that the United States will allow them to export F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Citing sources familiar with the negotiations, the decision was prompted by growing pressure from Congress on the White House over the issue amid Russia's intensified air attacks.

Earlier, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a statement about fighter jets for Ukraine after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted that his country is doing everything to move forward with an aid package for Ukraine, which will include fighter jets. According to Sunak, the UK and the Netherlands are also working together to create an "international coalition" not only to purchase aircraft for Ukraine, but also to train Ukrainian pilots to operate the 4th generation fighter jets.

Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!