A group of Ukrainian pilots has commenced training on at least 14 F-16 aircraft at the Fetesti Air Base in Romania, as reported by Dutch publication defensie.nl and Digi24.
Used for Defensive Operations
Currently, the pilots are in the theoretical phase of their transition to these new aircraft, which are expected to play a crucial role in Ukraine's defense strategy.
General James B. Hecker, the head of NATO's Air Command and the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, noted that the F-16s will primarily be used for defensive operations, specifically to intercept Russian cruise missiles.
He emphasized that neither Ukrainian nor Russian air forces currently dominate the airspace over Ukraine. The Ukrainian pilots are in the early stages of their training, and they will not be assigned to high-risk missions just yet.
Close Coordination with Ground Troops
The ultimate goal of this training is to enable Ukrainian forces to conduct operations in close coordination with ground troops.
This objective is supported by General Christopher Cavolo, the U.S. Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. Given the ongoing conflict, F-16s are expected to enhance Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
According to open-source data, Ukraine has successfully shot down over 100 Russian fighter jets, while Russia has claimed at least 75 Ukrainian aircraft. Both sides have adopted a strategy of keeping their planes behind front lines, launching precision strikes from a distance to avoid anti-aircraft systems.
Romania serves as a valuable case study for Ukraine, as Romanian pilots have recently transitioned from Soviet-era MiGs to Western F-16s. This experience could greatly benefit the Ukrainian pilots currently training in Romania.
As of August, Ukraine had received around 10 F-16s, with additional aircraft promised by NATO countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands. U.S. and Danish forces are primarily responsible for training the Ukrainian pilots, who are now in Romania to gain proficiency on the F-16s supplied by the Netherlands.
