The UK has been providing basic training to Ukraine's combat air pilots as a contribution to the international Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine

The first cohort of Ukrainian pilots to receive training from the Royal Air Force are now learning to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark, having completed a basic programme of training in the UK.

The RAF began delivering flying and English language training in August as part of the UK contribution to the international Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which sees allies and partners working together to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities.

The group was formed of six experienced Ukrainian combat fighter pilots who received aviation-specific English language training to increase their ability to engage with coalition training and support.

A further ten Ukrainian trainee pilots took part in the language training and remain in the UK to continue with practical basic flight training, as well as to learn important skills such as aviation medicine and centrifuge training.

    • geophysicistEnglish
      53·
      11 months ago

      Also ISW published this 2 weeks ago:

      Umerov also announced on December 9 that Ukraine will soon receive F-16 fighter jets and that Ukraine is already preparing infrastructure for the jets’ arrival.[32]

      https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-9-2023

      And Newsweek reported weeks ago that the first batch of 5 f16s from the Netherlands had already arrived at the training centre in Romania, and that the f16s from Belgium would arrive in Ukraine in march or April

      https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-receives-major-update-f-16s-1841683

      The Netherlands it seems has fast tracked the process, to make sure the f16s are delivered before the new far right leader gets into power after winning the recent Dutch election

    • zenitsu@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      24·
      11 months ago

      So no official statements or evidence yet (there’d likely be civilian footage even), just youtuber speculation.

      • geophysicistEnglish
        22·
        11 months ago

        Why would there be an official statement immediately when they receive them? They’d remove the chance for catching russian planes by surprise.

        And you say “YouTuber speculation”, do you mean to say “Advisor to the Danish military speculates” … Which is a very different thing