Ukrainian pilots cannot learn to fly F-16 because of… lack of English?

On August 4, Politico (USA) quoted sources saying that Western efforts to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 aircraft are being hindered by language barriers.

Ukrainian pilots face language barriers while training to fly F-16 fighter jets - Photo: F-16s of the Portuguese and Romanian Air Forces at Siauliai air base during NATO exercises in early July. (Source: Getty Images)

An initial group of eight English-speaking Ukrainian pilots is ready to begin training after several European countries drew up formal training plans and received US approval, according to a US official and a source familiar with the matter.

However, “English proficiency remains a problem” for the remaining 32 pilots taking part in the F-16 fighter jet training programme, with 20 with basic qualifications set to begin language courses in the UK this month.

Over the past several months, Kiev has repeatedly asked the West to provide F-16s, arguing that the fighters would help the country “turn the tables” on Russia.

However, Washington disagrees with this. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the F-16 would have limited impact due to the continuous and widespread operation of air defense systems in Ukraine.

However, in mid-May, the UK and the Netherlands announced the formation of an “international coalition” to help Ukraine buy F-16 fighter jets with the participation of 11 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, including the US.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the training campaign will begin this month. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba predicted that the first batch of fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine early next year.

However, efforts to lay the groundwork for the transfer of the aircraft have hit some snags, with reports that the US and its allies have yet to agree on exactly who will train the Ukrainian pilots, or where the training will be located.

For its part, Russia has repeatedly warned the West that the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine would lead to an escalation of the conflict. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that the US-made jets are capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/politico-phi-cong-ukraine-chua-the-hoc-lai-f-16-vi-thieu-tieng-anh-237274.html