In a recent development, Yuriy Ignat, a representative of the Ukrainian Air Force, has refuted his earlier statement regarding the training of Ukrainian pilots on American F-16 fighter jets in Romania. Ignat had previously claimed that some Ukrainian Air Force pilots undergoing F-16 training were already participating in airborne exercises with instructors.
According to the military representative, the Netherlands has transferred five F-35 fighter jets to Romania, the first batch for the future training center that is currently under construction.
“There is currently no talk of training Ukrainian pilots there. It won’t happen right now, as reported by the media,” said Ignat, as quoted by the Ukrainian publication “Strana.ua.”
He clarified that while the foundation of the future center has been laid, the flight base intended for training Ukrainian pilots is still in the construction phase. However, there is an operational runway at the site, which can be used for actual flights.
Earlier, NATO had set a condition for the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine.
