Training for Ukrainians on the F-16 is postponed; the planes will not be available this year.
Western partners have yet to even agree on a plan to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the promised jets, according to three U.S. officials, reports Politico. Denmark and the Netherlands are leading a coalition of 11 nations to support the training, but no country has publicly committed aircraft to the program.
One training proposal that has been discussed involves bringing Ukrainian pilots to the US to receive instruction from the 162nd Air Wing, an Air National Guard unit based in Tucson, Arizona. But that idea has had little traction, according to two U.S. officials and a European official. They and others interviewed were granted anonymity to discuss plans that have not yet been finalized.
Another plan involves sending US military pilots to Europe to train Ukrainians outside their country. Nothing is off the table, and no final decisions have been made, said two of the US officials. Despite the various ambitious timelines, training cannot start until the US State Department approves the transfer of associated training materials.