VIDEO 3 European states send F-16 planes against Putin. The pilots, also trained in Romania

The first F-16s will start arriving in Ukraine this year, in June. The aircraft will arrive with trained pilots and maintenance personnel. Some of the pilots were also trained in Romania.

Read also: VIDEO Russian fighter planes with 6 tons of weapons, over the Black Sea. Who does it protect?

VIDEO 3 European states send F-16 planes against Putin. The pilots, also trained in Romania

Romania inaugurated in November 2023 an international training hub for F-16 pilots from allied countries and other partners, including Ukraine, with aircraft provided by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and instructors and maintenance provided by Lockheed Martin, the aircraft manufacturer.

The pilots are trained at Military Air Base 86, outside Fetești.

Also read: The first F-16 fighter jets will arrive in Ukraine in June from the Netherlands. Pilots trained in Romania

The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, announced the arrival of the F 16 in Ukraine before the start of the Ramstein (Ukraine Defense Contact Group) meeting.

According to Austin, over the past two years, members of the Defense Contact Group of Ukraine have supplied Ukraine with more than 70 medium- and long-range air defense systems, as well as thousands of missiles, writes ukrainenews

“We have provided more than 3,000 armored vehicles, including more than 800 main battle tanks. We have delivered tens of thousands of anti-tank missiles to Ukraine,” the Pentagon chief said.

Also read: Interview with a Ukrainian F-16 pilot. When he will go into battle against Russia

According to him, the first F-16 fighter jets will start arriving in Ukraine this year.

“This year, more than one squadron of donated F-16s will begin arriving in Ukraine, along with pilots and service personnel trained by members of this Contact Group,” Austin said.

150 planes are needed

As Ukrainian News Agency previously reported, on April 13, the Air Force stated that Ukraine needs at least 150 aircraft to effectively carry out the tasks.

Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands are preparing to transfer F-16 fighter jets with the latest weapons to Ukraine.

The American edition of The New York Times reported that the first F-16 fighter jets will arrive in Ukraine in July this year.