Ukrainian pilots to begin F-16 training in Denmark in August — Lockheed Martin
Ukrainian pilots are slated to start their training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark this August, before proceeding to a training center in Romania by late 2024, Ray Piselli, Vice President of International Relations at Lockheed Martin, said on July 17, as reported by Defense Romania.
Read also: Ukrainian pilots to begin training on F-16s in August – report
According to Piselli, the Danish Skrydstrup airbase will host the initial phase of the training. Subsequently, in Romania, the training center will be set up near Fetesti, at the 86 Borcea airbase. Romania will provide the infrastructure, while the Netherlands supplies the F-16 aircraft. Lockheed Martin will supervise the pilot training through its subcontractor, Draken International.
The U.S. firm, Draken International, has already purchased around 12 fighter jets from the Norwegian Air Force and has begun recruitment for F-16 instructor pilots.
The training of Ukrainian military personnel in Romania will continue till the end of 2024, Piselli confirmed. The program will kick-off with the screening and selection of Ukrainian personnel, language courses, and theoretical as well as practical preparation. The key objective is to equip the Ukrainian Air Force with the fundamental skills and conditions for flying and maintaining F-16 fighter jets.
Piselli also mentioned that the Netherlands and Denmark are spearheading the development of the training program. At the same, Danish officials have refrained from directly answering questions if F-16 aircraft themselves will be donated to Ukraine.
Read also: Ukraine and Netherlands agree on schedule of F-16 pilot training
“We initially plan to train two teams, comprising a total of 10 to 12 pilots and some auxiliary personnel for aircraft maintenance,” Danish military officials said.
“Around 30 to 40 technicians are also scheduled for the training.”
Read also: Romania opens training center for Ukrainian pilots
The time frame required to retrain pilots from Soviet-era MiG fighter jets to F-16 aircraft remains uncertain.
"The duration depends on the pilots' qualifications and experience with advanced fighter jets, as well as their proficiency in English," said Danish Army Commander General Flemming Lentfer.
Read also: Poland pledges its infrastructure to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s
Lentfer also noted that the duration of the Ukrainian pilots' stay in Denmark will be influenced by their knowledge of the English language.
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