The United States will support a joint effort to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter planes and support an international effort to procure warplanes for Ukraine as part of underscoring a commitment to the country’s defense.
A senior administration official told reporters that “the training takes place over the coming months, our coalition of countries participating in this effort will decideĀ when to actually provide jets, how many we will provide, and who will provide them.” The program will include training on F-16samong other fighter planes, with the program set to take place over the coming months at sites in Europe.
“We hope we can begin this training in the coming weeks,” the official said, adding that this program, which aims to improve Ukraineās Air Force capabilities, reflects “our long-term commitment to Ukraineās self-defense.”
“To date, the United States and our allies and partners have focused on providing Ukraine with the vast majority of the systems, weapons, and training it requires to conduct offensive operations this spring and summer,” the official explained.
“Together with the short-term and medium-term security assistance packages we are providing Ukraine, President Biden is sending a powerful signal of how the United States and our allies and partners are fully united in ensuring Ukraine remains sovereign, independent, and secure with the ability to defend against and deter future attacks.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the news on Twitter, calling it an “historic decision” that will “greatly enhance our army in the sky.”