The UK has reached a significant milestone in its support for Ukraine, with 200 Ukrainian pilots now having completed training with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
The latest group of pilots graduated from the RAF’s Elementary Flying Training programme, in a ceremony attended by Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard and Ukrainian Ambassador General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Luke Pollard MP shared the achievement, noting, “These pilots will soon be flying Ukrainian F-16s. Britain will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Did you know the UK has now trained 200 Ukrainian pilots?
Today I attended the graduation of the latest pilots from the RAF’s training programme. These pilots will soon be flying Ukrainian F-16s.
Britain will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes 🇬🇧🇺🇦 https://t.co/wbsdmXfARF
— Luke Pollard MP (@LukePollard) October 22, 2024
The pilots will now move on to advanced flying training provided by the French Air Force before transitioning to F-16 fighter jets, further strengthening Ukraine’s air capabilities.
This effort is a key UK contribution to the Air Capability Coalition, co-led by the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which is building an air force of modern fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s defence. Established last year, these capability coalitions are part of a long-term commitment to support Ukraine’s armed forces, with the UK co-leading the maritime and drone coalitions. The creation of a modern air force will significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression, acting as a strong deterrent and improving its overall military response.
Although the UK does not operate the F-16 fighter jets chosen by Ukraine to modernise its air force, British leaders have consistently advocated for an international programme to provide training and aircraft.
As part of their RAF training, the Ukrainian pilots were taught aircraft handling, low-level navigation, advanced formation flying, and instrument-based flying. They also received English language training to improve their interoperability with NATO air forces, as English is the standard international flight language.
With advanced flying training to be completed in France, the pilots will soon progress to learning to fly the F-16 jets. The trainees are part of the broader UK effort to support Ukraine, which has seen over 60,000 Ukrainian personnel trained since Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, including 36,000 recruits trained since 2022 through Operation Interflex.
One of the Ukrainian pilots expressed gratitude for the training previously, saying, “I have enjoyed being in the United Kingdom and being part of this training programme. The course has been challenging and enjoyable, and it has made me a better pilot. I am grateful to the UK for its support to Ukraine, and I am personally grateful to the Royal Air Force instructors for preparing me for the future.”
Good Luck to them.
I’ll second that.
Indeed. Hoping & praying too that Putin/Russia has a change of heart. Though far greater pro-active resolve by the USA & NATO wouldn’t go amiss in snuffing out Russia’s extra territorial ambitions.
So we cannot train our own pilots but we can train 200 Ukrainian pilots
Great that France is helping with the next, advanced, flight training. Presumably the international flight language of English will be tested further for Ukrainian pilots by working with French instructors for whom English is also a second language. So a valid advanced step for integration with NATO/OTAN people.
Vive La France 🇫🇷 Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
#StrongerTogether #WeAreNATO #AFU
If we can train 200 Ukranians could we try training some folks for the RAF?
The RAF is always training new pilots Putin.
I do know that but there are pilot shortages as well so maybe we should address that as well ,do you think?
Being a student of war I am totally anti-war.
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.
Make peace you idiots.
You may be anti war, indeed its noble and right to be so. The problem is, war is pro- you. Therefore aim for peace but prepare for war .
Agreed and I am sure we are all anti war – walk softly but carry a very big stick.
I know the maxims my friend and agree with the principle but I’m afraid politics has become the continuation of warfare by any means, we need a new model.
Pacem Versa sounds good. 👍❤️✌️
No war until Putin invaded UKR.
Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria too many wars to mention kid. East for the Bear, middle east for the life of Brian’s and far east for the Panda. Let them have their schiesse holes. 😂
Idiots the western leaders your zionist corrupt Gov sending you to your death ukrain is owned by Western zionist Corporations and your families will get nothing there thieves wake up youll be dead within months .
Is the bottle half empty yet?