Biden backs plan to train Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighter craft

US President Joe Biden told G7 leaders on Friday that Washington supports joint allied training programs for Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighter jets, a senior official said, significant support for Kiev’s air capability vis-à-vis Russia.

Training on US-made ships will take place in Europe and will take months, a US official said. Authorities in Washington estimate the minimum time needed for training and delivery of the F-16s to be 18 months.

“While training takes place in the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decide when and who will provide the planes,” the official said.

Although the official did not say which countries would participate, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain would work with the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark “so that Ukraine has the combat air capability it requires.”

The Danish Ministry of Defense said it was ready to support the training.

The United States hopes to begin the training, which will take place on fourth-generation fighters, including F-16s, in the coming weeks, the official added.

Ukraine wants access to the planes, made by Lockheed Martin, in order to consolidate advances against Russian troops ahead of a planned counteroffensive.

Ukraine, which does not possess Western-designed aircraft, says the F-16s are far more effective than the Soviet-era fighters it still uses. Poland and Slovakia have delivered 27 MiG-29s to Ukraine.

Western governments have been wary of offering excessive military equipment. They have also avoided sending any devices that could penetrate deep into Russian territory and give Moscow a reason to attack.

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