The first group of Ukrainian pilots started practical training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark

The first group of Ukrainian pilots mastered the basic training program in the United Kingdom and proceeded to learn to fly F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.

The British Ministry of Defense announced this on its website

The flying and English language training started in August 2023. The group was formed of six experienced Ukrainian combat fighter pilots. Another 10 Ukrainian trainee pilots took part in the language training and remain in the United Kingdom. They continue with physical and practical basic flight training. They will also learn aviation medicine and take centrifuge training.

The U.K. Defense Secretary on the training of Ukrainian pilots

The British Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, said he was proud of the support the Royal Air Force was providing to Ukrainian combat air pilots and ground crew. He underscored the crucial role of the United Kingdom in building Ukraine’s air defenses since Putin launched his full-scale invasion.

The Defense Secretary noted that, with support from the U.K. and other allies, Ukraine was able to effectively counter attacks from Russian aircraft, drones, and missiles. Hundreds of missiles and munitions, as well as radar and weapons systems, were sent to Ukraine to fight off Russian aggression.

"Together, we’re now going further by ensuring Ukraine has a modern air force in the future, formed around the highly capable fourth-generation F-16 fighter jet. Combined with training from the world-leading RAF, this is a significant step forward from Ukraine’s current Soviet-era capabilities," said Grant Shapps.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense on the training of Ukrainian pilots

Ukraine highly values the training that the United Kingdom and other partners are providing to help Ukrainian pilots prepare for operating F-16s, said Rustem Umierov, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense. This rapid and effective program is an important step for Ukrainian pilots in the war against Russia.

Further help for Ukraine from the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom will continue this support for Ukrainian pilots and ground crew in 2024. Once they have completed their training with the RAF, pilots will be trained by another European nation on advanced flying training. This will prepare them for training on the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, overseen by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States, which lead the Air Force Capability Coalition.

The trainees join more than 53,000 Ukrainians who have received training in the U.K. In addition, the Defense Secretary announced the U.K. would train a further 10,000 Ukrainian recruits in the first half of 2024 as part of Operation Interflex.

reported earlier that Ukrainian pilots had started learning to fly F-16s in Romania at a training center in Fetesti, 150 km south of Bucharest, at the 86th Air Base. The training is to take six months.