Two Ukrainian pilots are currently in the United States undergoing an evaluation to determine the length of time required to train them to operate war planes, which includes F-16 fighter jets, NBC News reported.
The Ukrainian pilots’ abilities are being assessed on simulators at a U.S. military base in Tucson, Arizona, and more of their compatriots may join them soon, according to the report. As early as this month, U.S. authorities have authorized up to 10 additional Ukrainian pilots to come to the United States for further evaluation.
It is the first time Ukrainian pilots have traveled to the United States to have their abilities evaluated by American military trainers.
According to an administration official, “The program is about assessing their abilities as pilots so we can better advise them on how to use capabilities they have and we have given them.” However, two administration officials emphasized that this is not a training program, and the Ukrainian pilots will not be flying any aircraft during their stay in the United States.
These officials claimed that the pilots would be using a simulator that can simulate flying various types of aircraft, and they emphasized that there had been no update on the U.S. decision to provide F-16s to Ukraine beyond what the Pentagon’s top policy official told Congress last week. According to Colin Kahl, the U.S. has yet to decide whether or not to provide F-16s, and neither have U.S. allies and partners.
