US Blocks F-16 Fighter Jet Training for Ukrainian Pilots Amid Russian Missile Campaign

WASHINGTON – The United States (US) has banned its European allies from providing F-16 fighter jet training to Ukrainian pilots. This was reported by the New York Times (NYT), citing a high-ranking official in Kiev.

“Without approval from Washington, the best that Ukrainian airmen can hope for is a lesson in technical language and tactical training in the field,” the outlet reported. Russia Today, Friday (19/5/2023).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressing his Western backers for the fourth-generation F-16 fighter for months. He said they were critical to defending the country’s airspace amid a massive Russian missile campaign targeting military facilities and energy infrastructure.

The Ukrainian leader appeared to be making limited progress during his recent European tour, with Britain and the Netherlands announcing they would work to build an “international coalition” to provide Kiev with everything from training to procuring F-16 jets.

London announced that training would start this summer, while Zelensky’s office claims that Belgium also wants to help prepare Ukrainian pilots.

An unnamed Ukrainian official told the NYT that four countries, including the Netherlands and Norway, have “quietly signaled” that they are ready to supply Ukraine with fighter aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

“The F-16 fighter jet contains classified technology and Washington’s allies have to get special ‘release’ clearance from the Pentagon to even discuss it with outside partners like Ukraine,” a senior US Department of Defense official explained to the paper.