The training program for Ukrainian pilots and technicians will be quite complex. Overall, the F-16 coalition includes 11 countries, moreover, it is known that part of the Ukrainian personnel will be dispatched to Denmark for the special course.
However, Romania decided it would join the training program, as announced by President Klaus Iohannis. He estimates that the exercises could begin this August already, and they will proceed systematically, not as a one-time offer.
Read more: The Romanians Believed Till Now That the F-16 Would Not Be Able to Take Off In Winter, And This Says a Lot About the Country’s Air Defense
Defense Romania adds that the training center will be deployed at the Romanian Air Force 86th Air Base in Borcea, in the southern part of the country. In fact, it will be a joint project of the state and the private business.
The aircraft will be provided by the Netherlands which is decommissioning its F-16s anyway. These very jets are the most likely candidates to become the first F-16 in service with the Ukrainian Air Force later on. The manufacturer of this fighter, Lockheed Martin itself, will participate as well.
But the American company's role is not limited to only technical aspects – the defense giant will also order services from the Draken International private company that will be in charge of training the Ukrainian pilots.
As a reminder, this US-based aircraft provider company earlier intended to buy the Dutch F-16. Furthermore, it bought reportedly 12 F-16 fighters from Norway at the same time when Romania was negotiating procurement of 32 F-16s with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense. The international arms market is a small world indeed.
Generally, outsourcing pilot training this way is a common practice for NATO countries. For example, besides Draken International with its own f16 fleet, these fighters are also in service with the Top Aces private company whose aircraft usually plays the role of aggressors for the U.S. Air Force education programs.
The staff working at both companies are all former instructors, pilots, and technicians from various countries who have practical and sometimes even combat experience.
At the same time, Bucharest is solving the issue concerned with its own capability by creating such a training center on its territory. In December last year, ex-minister of defense of Romania Vasile Dincu stressed that even with F-16 in service, it turned out to be difficult to find a place for preparing Romanian pilots. Thus over 30 pilots plus even more on-ground staff of the Romanian Air Force have to learn how to operate the F-16, not just Ukrainians.
We should also remind that the training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians on f16 has already been approved. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan the other day said, his country not just "greenlighted" the effort but would also "support, facilitate and in fact provide the necessary tools," as quoted by CNN.
Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yurii Ihnat has recently announced that the first group of pilots is already prepared to depart for the training course. He added that the transfer of modern aircraft to Ukraine would be gradual, "not three squadrons all at once."
Read more: F-16 for Ukraine Coalition is Fully Established: Each Country Will Take Up On a Role in It
