The US Pentagon announced yesterday that the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets will begin in Arizona in October.

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder clarified that the training of the Ukrainian pilots will begin after they complete English language courses. The training will be attended by pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, Ryder added.

On Sunday, Denmark and the Netherlands pledged to deliver F-16s to Ukraine, fulfilling a months-long request by Kyiv, which considers a boost to its air force key to the successful outcome of its counteroffensive to liberate occupied Ukrainian territory.

For his part, the Prime Minister of Norway announced today that he intends to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Denmark has already started training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Eight pilots and 65 fighter aircraft maintenance technicians are being trained at Skrydstrup Air Base.

Back in May, US President Joe Biden approved programs to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

Ukraine’s allies in the West have repeatedly expressed their willingness to support Kyiv as long as it takes in its fight against Russian invaders, stressing that they do not seek a NATO military confrontation with Moscow.

Also read: Rutte | Netherlands and Denmark to deliver F-16s to Ukraine