In July of this year, the first 10 F-16 fighter jets, donated by Denmark and the Netherlands, arrived in Ukraine. In total, Ukraine is to receive 79 such machines from European countries. However, well-trained pilots are needed for the planes to fulfill their role. Currently, it is estimated that Ukraine has about 20 trained aviators, which in practice allows the use of only 10 F-16 aircraft (2 pilots are needed for each machine). As a result, there is ongoing pilot training in Europe and the United States. Unfortunately, this process is long and demanding, taking about 2 years, so Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski is looking for alternative solutions.
In early August 2024, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) visited Ukraine. During their stay, they learned that Ukraine plans to hire retired NATO pilots. Senator Blumenthal expressed support for this effort. In addition, Blumenthal called on US authorities to “lift restrictions on US-supplied weapons.”
On the plan to use retired pilots in Ukraine, Colonel Krystian Zięć, a former F-16 pilot, spoke out. “Basing the operational activities of Ukrainian F-16 aircraft solely on contracting forces seems an unlikely assumption at the moment,” the colonel said, explaining that there are too few F-16 pilots on the market to fly as contractors. After leaving the service, most pilots find employment in other industries.
The media space regularly features statements by former pilots who assure of their willingness to fly in the Ukrainian Air Force. However, it should be kept in mind that what is different, however, are announcements and declarations, and what is different is the execution of combat missions. “Every combat mission involves a risk of loss of life for the pilot. We are talking here about the performance of combat flights, under conditions of conflict, where the enemy will make every effort to prevent Ukrainian F-16s from carrying out their tasks.”
Training of Ukrainian pilots is ongoing, but the translation of acquired skills from training to the battlefield can sometimes differ from the exercises themselves. Pilots with prior experience can complete training in as little as a year, while a soldier with no prior experience with aircraft may need up to four years to do so. However, there is still the question of combat experience. Can a soldier who has just completed training be sent on a combat mission? “Good training greatly increases a pilot’s chances of survival on the battlefield,” the colonel stresses. This means that properly trained pilots can be sent into battle immediately after training.
Tekst powstał w ramach realizacji zadania publicznego zleconego w ramach Rządowego Programu Rozwoju Organizacji Obywatelskich na lata 2018–2030 r. „Bezpieczna Polska jutra – rozwój działań misyjnych Alioth Foundation”.
Fot. https://www.president.gov.ua
