Why can't Ukraine operate its entire F-16 fleet for months to come?

" There are only a few experienced pilots and we are still receiving more experienced pilots. And there are also those who have not been trained," the Wall Street Journal quoted a US official as saying.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the US has changed the training program for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets and added " younger trainees" with no previous flying experience.

Ukraine is still unable to operate its entire F-16 fleet. (Photo: AP)

The decision to focus on training cadets rather than experienced air force personnel could take longer than originally planned, and Kiev will have to wait several more months before it can operate a full F-16 squadron in the field.

Before the decision is made, Ukraine is unlikely to have 20 F-16s and 40 pilots to operate them, and the plan is expected to be implemented in the spring or summer of next year at the earliest.

The move to change the training program is due to Ukraine's lack of experienced pilots with the necessary English skills to participate in the program.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned the United States and its NATO allies that Moscow views the presence of nuclear-capable F-16 aircraft in Ukraine as a nuclear threat.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the F-16 jets provided to Ukraine by the West are not powerful enough to change the situation on the battlefield and considered them legitimate targets of Russian forces.

President Putin also declared that the F-16s, like other Western equipment delivered to Kiev, would be destroyed.

The first Ukrainian F-16s entered service in July. Apart from a few sorties to intercept Russian air raids, they have been largely grounded. The arrival of the F-16s does not appear to have had the battlefield-changing impact Kiev had claimed.

Kong Anh (Source: Sputnik)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/vi-sao-ukraine-khong-the-van-hanh-toan-bo-phi-doi-f-16-trong-nhieu-thang-toi-ar902447.html