Ukrainian F-16 training starts in Romania: demonstration flights on fighter jets were conducted

Ukrainian pilots begin training in Romania / Collage 24 Channel

Western F-16 fighters have already arrived at the air base in the city of Fetesti in Romania. They are planning to begin training Ukrainian pilots soon.

The Netherlands provided equipment for training both Ukrainians and their Romanian colleagues. It is not yet known when Ukraine will receive fighter jets for defense.

The exercise will begin soon

Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar, together with his Dutch counterpart Kaisa Ollongren, will open an F-16 fighter training center at the Fetesti air base on November 13. Ukrainian pilots will be trained there. In total, it was planned to transfer from 12 to 18 fighters; as of now, the arrival of 5 of them is known.

According to preliminary estimates, the training of Ukrainian pilots will take at least six months. F-16 manufacturer Lockheed provided instructors and technical personnel.

At the military base, demonstration flights of fighter jets had already been carried out before the start of the exercises. The media published a video in which you can see the capabilities of Western aircraft.

Demonstration flights on Western fighters: watch Suspilny’s video

Ukraine and F-16: latest news

• Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on fighter jets of the Arizona Air National Guard in the United States. The training program will be tailored to each pilot's basic knowledge and skills and is expected to last several months.
• Air Force Speaker Yuriy Ignat noted that the process of training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft is currently ongoing. He emphasized that this would involve working in pairs with an instructor and practicing independently.
• Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Research Mikhail Samus convinces that the first rotation of Ukrainian pilots and F-16 aircraft will be about one Ukrainian squadron, that is, 12 aircraft. Perhaps in the first quarter of next year they will be able to carry out combat missions in the war.