Several more countries are ready to join the so-called international training coalition on combat aircraft F-16, but at the moment they are receiving “political approvals from their parliaments”.
This was announced at a joint press conference with Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev in Odessa by Ukrainian Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov.
— I want to remind you that the so-called “aircraft coalition” 11 countries joined in Vilnius. But this coalition is growing, it is open to joining. I know for sure that there are several countries that are ready to do this, but they are now receiving certain political permits from their parliaments, the decision of the governments will be forthcoming. It will be announced a little later, — he said.
Reznikov noted that the coalition includes not only those countries that have F-16s, such as Canada.
— But they undertake to take part in preparation, training, preparation with infrastructure. — Reznikov explained.
According to him, there is no point in discussing the number of aircraft yet.
— But I'm sure there will be more. This is already the number of squadrons, — the minister added.
It is noted that all training events will be held outside Ukraine.
Recall that on July 11 it was announced that Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway , Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK agreed to start training Ukrainians on the F-16. Thus, “the training coalition F-16” was formalized.
Also, on July 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Greece would also take part in the training of Ukrainian pilots on modern multirole F-16 fighters.
It is worth noting that 70 Ukrainian pilots and technicians who will serve the F-16 fighters have already begun training in Denmark.
According to the representative of the Air forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuri Ignat, this is only the first wave of fighters who will study on the F-16, subsequently there will be a second and third wave.
