Nato ministers to decide on schedule for training Ukrainian pilots on US F-16s

Nato defence ministers meeting in Brussels are expected to set out a schedule for training Ukrainian pilots on US F-16 fighter aircraft, although there is still no commitment to provide the planes.

The US announced last month that it would support plans to train Ukrainian personnel on American-made F-16 fighter jets.

The RAF does not have any US-manufactured F-16s but the move paves the way for European nations to send their own jets to Kyiv, but they can only be exported if Washington legally approves.

• US to allow allies to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine
• UK could train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s on frontline 'within two years'
• US F-16 fighter ace backs giving Western jets to Ukraine – and would volunteer himself

A former RAF Commander told Forces News that the UK could train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets within two years.

Air Marshal (Ret'd) Greg Bagwell said the training could be accomplished in the two-year time frame "if you really pressed it" for a youngster "never having flown before".

Defence Minister James Heappey says western allies are "ready" to rearm and retrain Ukrainian troops for years to come, if necessary.