By KYIV. Sept 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Belgian Federal Government confirmed on Friday its participation in the training of Ukrainian pilots to control F-16 multi-purpose fighters.
“Along with this important contribution to the preparation and commissioning of fighter aircraft, our government officially expresses its support for promoting the creation of this new potential necessary for the modernization of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder was quoted as saying by RTBF TV channel.
According to her, Belgium is thus acting within the framework of the F-16 coalition, led by the Netherlands and Denmark, in order to train Ukrainian pilots and in the future supply combat aircraft of this type to Kyiv.
In the coming weeks, the Belgian Defense Ministry will send three servicemen to the training center for Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Denmark, Dedonder said.
In 2024, the Belgian side will place two training aircraft of the F-16B type in Denmark, as well as a unit of fifty military personnel – mainly from the technical staff for servicing fighters.
