Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen and Belgian Minister of Defence Ludivine Dedonder visit F-16 training

The training of Ukrainian pilots and support personnel at Fighter Wing Skrydstrup is coordinated within the international Air Force Capability Coalition. Denmark leads the coalition together with the US and the Netherlands created last year consisting of 16 member states. Among others, Belgium contributes to the training with F-16 fighters and instructors.

“The training of Ukrainian personnel progresses well and we can take pride in the fact that Ukrainian pilots are flying in the air in Danish F-16 jets. The training is in good progress, not least due to invaluable support from countries like Belgium, Norway and Canada. Our cooperation in the coalition is exemplary. As a part of today´s visit, I had a fruitful discussion about the F-16 collaboration with my Belgian colleague”, says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

The goal of the training is to ensure that the Ukrainian Air Force gets the best possible conditions for flying, servicing and maintaining the F-16 Fighters, which Denmark and other allies will donate to Ukraine in the coming months. As a part of the international effort to support Ukraine, the first F-16 training modules are now a part of the EU´s military training mission in support of Ukraine. That is an essential step due to coordinate the joint European Ukraine effort.

”As the Belgian Minister of Defence, I’m proud that our Belgian Air Force can participate in this crucial training program fo r the Ukrainian F-16 pilots, ground crew and technical personnel. To operate an F-16 fleet, the technical part is as important as the flying part, so the Belgian Ministry of Defence is working hard with our Belgian defence industry partners not only to train Ukrainian technicians, but also provide the much needed technical support for the fleet. This combined effort with our partners form the international F-16 coalition, results in a combined and successful approach for the building of a modern Ukrainian Air Force, able to protect its population and territory in the middle and long term. I would like to thank all of the people involved in these training programs, our Belgian staff especially, and the Danish Ministry of Defence for the coordination and hospitality. Together we will continue to help Ukraine and defend the European values as a whole”, says Belgian Minister of Defence, Ludivine Dedonder.

“The joint effort of members of the Air Force Capability Coalition sends an essential message of strong unity behind the support to Ukraine. The donation of fighters and the pilot training is a crucial and much appreciated contribution to Ukraine in its fight. A fight that we must continue to support for the sake of Ukraine but equally as important for the sake of Europe”, says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

As the training effort continues, the Danish Armed Forces prepare the donation of the first batch of Danish F-16 fighters to Ukraine, which is expected to be delivered in the summer of 2024.