Russia-Ukraine conflict: US, allies discuss possible training for Ukrainian pilots

Almost five months into the war, the West, led by the United States, continues to provide Ukraine with weapons and ammunition to combat Russian forces. Washington, as well as its allies, are now considering potential training for Ukrainian pilots.

US Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Brown told Reuters this week that the US and its allies are considering training Ukrainian pilots. The training would be part of a long-term effort to potentially help Kyiv establish its own air force. Brown noted that discussions were still happening regarding the matter.

“You want to build a long-term plan on how do you build their air force and the air force that they’re going to need for the future,” said Brown.

Brown’s comments follow the House of Representatives' advancing of a measure that, if it passes other procedural challenges, would authorize $100 million to train Ukrainian pilots and maintainers on US combat aircraft.

When pressed on how long it may take for a Ukrainian pilot to transition to a US fighter aircraft, Brown said that a US pilot could train on a new type of aircraft in a span of two to four months. However, Brown said that transitioning to a US fighter aircraft from a Soviet-era system would be more difficult.

This comes as Ukraine is looking to reduce its dependence on Russian aircraft by securing US fighter jets and training its pilots on how to fly them. Ukraine’s air force has publicly signaled its desire for F-15s and F-16s.

Ukraine has so far been able to prevent Russia from using its air force to bombard the country from the skies due to the anti-aircraft systems provided by the West.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that the US would be sending Ukraine with an additional four HIMARS missile systems in the latest package of military assistance.

This comes as Russian defense secretary Sergei Shoigu ordered the generals to focus on Ukraine’s long-range missiles and artillery after Ukrainian forces succeeded in destroying Russian supply lines with Western weapons.

Ahead of a virtual meeting with allies on Ukraine, Austin said that the US “will keep finding innovative ways to sustain our long-term support for the brave men and women of the Ukrainian armed forces and we will tailor our assistance to ensure that Ukraine has the technology, the ammunition, and sheer firepower to defend itself.”