The US is working with Ukrainian pilots in the United States to determine how long it would take to train them to fly F-16 fighter jets, three sources briefed on the matter told CNN.
Two Ukrainian pilots are currently at a military base in the US having their skills tested in flight simulators to see how much time they would need to learn to fly various US military aircraft, including F-16s, according to CNN.
A US military official told reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to the Middle East that “there are no updates to provide regarding F-16s to Ukraine” and there are no immediate plans to increase the number of Ukrainian pilots in the US.
Read also:
- US Congress presses Pentagon on Biden’s reluctance to give Ukraine F-16s – WP
- Russo-Ukrainian War. Day 368: Biden says Ukraine “doesn’t need” F-16 jets
- Ukraine officially asked the Netherlands for F-16 fighter jets
- Poland ready to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets, but decision needs approval “within a wider coalition” – Polish PM in Kyiv
- Denmark’s Defense Minister “open” to looking at the donation of Danish fighter jets to Ukraine
- Italy is “unlikely” to send fighter jets to Ukraine, Italian FM says
- Poland to look into giving Ukraine MiG-29 fighter jets – Polish President Duda
- UK not to send jets to Ukraine “any time soon” – Defense Secretary
