Ukraine will not have a full F-16 squadron by the end of the year - WSJ

Ukraine is unlikely to have a full squadron of F-16s by the end of the year. Ukraine is likely to receive this number of aircraft by spring or summer next year.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to The Wall Street Journal.

According to the publication, the United States is reorienting its training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots from experienced pilots to junior cadets. This decision could push back by many months the time when Ukraine will receive a full squadron of aircraft.

U.S. officials explain that the decision was made due to a lack of experienced Ukrainian pilots with English language skills. Some officials also said that the US believes that younger cadets will be more open to Western training.

Ukrainian pilots are trained at three different locations: Morris Air Force Base in Arizona, the Danish military air base in Skridstrup, which was recently closed. According to the WSJ, a dozen pilots have taken the course so far, and 11 of them are now flying in Ukraine. According to a Western official, some pilots who started training in Denmark did not complete the program.

Informed sources say that Ukraine is not likely to have a full F-16 squadron (20 planes and 40 pilots to fly them) until next spring or summer at the earliest.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 17/10/2024