Jake Sullivan. Kyiv, Ukraine, 4 November 2022/ Reuters
The United States has expressed its readiness to expand training for Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16 fighter jets. However, this process is currently being held back by a lack of qualified Ukrainian candidates.
This was stated by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during the National Defence Forum held in the United States.
“We have trained a limited number of pilots, not because we are not ready to train them. We are ready and willing to train as many as possible,” said Sullivan.
However, the main obstacle to expanding training programmes, he said, is the insufficient number of Ukrainian candidates who can provide full flight capability.
The delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is a key component of international military assistance. However, the effective use of these aircraft depends on the availability of trained specialists capable of operating modern aircraft.
Ukrainian partners continue to work on this issue, and the United States remains ready to provide the necessary support.
