The process of training Ukrainian pilots for Western F-16 fighters is happening “at high speed”, and the Netherlands is preparing to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke about this during a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Rutte, who heads the country that is the leader in the aviation coalition, says they will try to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as soon as possible.
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— We hope to deliver them as soon as possible… There is progress in these matters. We are basically going according to schedule. So this is good news, — he said in a commentary for Radio Liberty.
At the same time, the head of the Dutch government did not name the exact number of fighters that his country plans to supply to Ukraine, but it should be at least 24 aircraft.
— There will be 24 fighters, perhaps more, but — no less… We work together with the Danes and others, — said Mark Rutte.
Regarding the training of Ukrainian pilots, the Dutch Prime Minister says that the pace of their training “occurs at high speeds“, and the F-16s themselves are preparing for transfer, he said in a comment to DW.
At the same time, Rutte did not name the exact date of deliveries of fighter jets to Ukraine.
We would like to remind you that this past week the 19th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine took place in the Ramstein format. During the meeting, Ukraine’s partners, in particular, spoke about the process of training Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots and supplying fighter aircraft to Ukraine.
Then the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov also said that the transfer of F-16 aircraft “is on schedule”, according to the agreements that Kiev has with partners.
Note that Denmark and the Netherlands are the largest donors of F-16 fighters for Ukraine. Subsequently, Norway and Belgium announced their intentions to help in this matter.
