Belgium will send two F-16 fighter jets and nearly 50 people to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots.
What is known about training on F-16s
Two Belgian F-16B aircraft will be deployed to Skrydstrup Air Base in Denmark from March to September, for two eight-week periods.
The training will include not only pilots, but also Ukrainian engineers and mission planners.
This training mission is part of the F-16 Coalition, which is joined by 13 countries, including Belgium, under the leadership of Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States.
Earlier, Norway announced that it would send its fighter jets to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots. The Norwegian Air Force replaced its F-16s with new F-35s.
F-16 for Ukraine: what is known
Ukraine is expecting more than 70 US F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands (42 aircraft, some of which are training aircraft), Denmark (19 units), Norway (number has not been announced yet) and Belgium (several units have been announced). In September, it became known that the Swedish authorities are considering the possibility of transferring Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters to Ukraine in the future.
Ukrainian pilots and technicians are undergoing training in Denmark, the UK and the US now. France, Belgium and Canada have also agreed to participate in the training. A training centre for F-16 pilots has been opened in Romania, where Ukrainians will also be trained.
On 20 November, the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine presented to Western allies the concept of a new special structure for the integration of F-16 fighters into the overall system of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Wall Street Journal writes that Ukrainian pilots could start using F-16s in combat as early as February 2024, i.e. this winter, provided there are no delays in deliveries.
On 26 December 2023, the first Ukrainian pilots completed their training in the UK. They are now learning to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.
