Training in a few weeks: Netherlands transfers F-16s to train Ukrainian pilots

The Netherlands will send F-16 fighter jets to the new training center in Romania within a few weeks, and Ukrainian pilots will start training within a few weeks. This was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren, according to NL Times.

“We hope to transfer 12-18 aircraft to Romania in a few weeks, which means the center can be put into operation. After a while they (Ukrainian pilots – Ed.) can carry out the first training flight.” The Ministry of Defense highlighted who will soon leave his post.

According to Ollongern, speaking at a meeting of defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, the establishment of a training center in Romania, neighboring Ukraine, is going well, in fact “very well”. However, the minister could not say when the Netherlands would transfer the first fighters to Ukraine.

“Ukraine will, in principle, receive 24 (fighters – Ed.), which it can eventually deploy in the fight against Russia,” Ollongern said.

Netherlands and the “F-16 fighter coalition”

The Netherlands is among the leaders of a group of countries trying to help Ukraine acquire F-16s to better counter Russian aggressors. They want to transfer a significant part of decommissioned fighters to Ukraine, but according to military experts, Ukrainian pilots must first learn to fly them.

According to the defense minister, the Netherlands is still working on additional assistance to Ukrainian air defense, which is critical to get through the coming winter.

Ollongren said, “The Netherlands will be able to do more in the coming months. We currently have 42 aircraft. The rest will be used for pilot training.” he added.

Important

According to the latest aid update sent to parliament by Minister Ollongren, Dutch military support to Ukraine currently stands at €2.1 billion.

The Netherlands financed and organized the shipment of 15 T-72 tanks to Ukraine in recent weeks. Unmanned aerial vehicles, trucks, ammunition and mine-clearing equipment were also sent.

“Part of the costs will be reimbursed from the EU fund. The Netherlands declared a total of 833 million euros. More than 242 million euros of military aid has already been repaid from the fund,” notes NL Times.

Coalition of Opportunities for Ukraine – what is known

The United States, by far the largest and most powerful NATO country, is now taking over the affairs of the Netherlands and Denmark. USA, as written FocusHe will lead the “air coalition” that seeks to provide Ukraine with a modern and powerful air force. The Netherlands and Denmark, the initiators of the previous “war coalition”, will continue to provide priority assistance. As Kaisa Ollongren emphasizes, this is quite “logical”.

“At first, the United States was very hesitant about providing modern combat aircraft to Ukraine. Washington said for a long time that this would make the conflict even more difficult and could even drag NATO into war. However, the United States reached a compromise on providing modern combat aircraft to Ukraine.” “Thanks to particularly important Dutch beliefs, taboo after taboo was lifted during the war,” the publication emphasizes.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin predicted that the first Ukrainian pilots would be ready to fly the F-16 no earlier than next spring.

let’s remind this Focus On August 20, he reported that it became known: Ukraine will receive 42 F-16 fighter jets. This was decided during negotiations between Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Zelensky said that the planes would be supplied after the training of Ukrainian pilots and engineers.

And on August 18 Focus He wrote that the USA approved Denmark’s request to transfer training materials for F-16 multi-purpose warplanes to Ukraine. The teaching package includes training modules, documentation, and classroom materials that provide information on sensitive U.S. technologies.