More details have emerged of the kind of
fighter pilot training being provided to Ukraine by the United Kingdom, which we now know is specifically geared toward helping those aviators
convert onto the F-16. This should help fulfill Kyiv’s
longstanding ambition of obtaining the fourth-generation Western-made fighter jets, while the leaders of Ukraine and the United Kingdom have also discussed a possible “coalition of jets” for the Ukrainian Air Force, as a means of making that more achievable.
The U.S. stance may well change, however, and the British announcement today suggests that there is momentum building behind getting F-16s to Ukraine, one way or another.
When Ukraine might finally get its hand on F-16s remains a matter of speculation. However, the fact that the United Kingdom is poised to start elementary/basic training of Ukrainian pilots, rather than converting pre-qualified pilots of jets like the
MiG-29 Fulcrum and
Su-27 Flanker fighter suggests that this initiative, at least, is part of a longer game.