Greece Agrees to Train Ukrainian F-16 Pilots

Greece has joined the aviation coalition that aims to provide F-16s and related training to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this at a press conference with Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Today, we have the important result for aviation coalition. Greece will participate in training of our pilots for F-16. I am grateful for this proposal,” Zelenskyy said.

The Hellenic Air Force consists mostly of F-16 jets and Greek pilots are considered experienced in the use of the U.S.-built warplanes.

F-16 training for Ukraine’s pilots will take place in Denmark and Romania. Training will begin this month and the first Ukrainian F-16 pilots are expected to complete training by early 2024.

Related news: Netherlands, Denmark to Send 61 F-16s to Ukraine

Earlier today, the United States said it was open to participate in the training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

Learning pilot skills could take about six months, plus about another four months for the pilot crews to learn technical English to the required standard.

Last year, Greece handed over BMP-1 IFVs to Ukraine as part of a “ring exchange” with Germany, which sent Marder IFVs to the Greek military.