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| Denmark Announces Will Train Ukrainian Pilots With F-16 Fighter Jets |
International Military - Denmark said it would train Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighter jets and was ready to discuss efforts to transfer the fighters to Kyiv. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Defense of Denmark Troels Lund Poulsen on May 19 to the Danish media DR and Ritzau, as reported by the Kyiv Independent.
Meanwhile Portugal has also agreed to train Ukrainian pilots and mechanics to operate Western-made fighter jets, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.
Denmark and Portugal's readiness to provide training to Ukrainian pilots comes shortly after US President Joe Biden approved plans by European countries to train Ukrainian Air Force personnel in F-16 jets, a senior US official said, quoted by CNN.
Earlier on May 17, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte agreed to form an international coalition to help acquire F-16s for Ukraine. The coalition will be formed this year, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
According to Kuleba, some of Ukraine's allies have expressed willingness to train Ukrainian personnel in how to operate Western fighter jets and other countries are ready to provide the aircraft. It is planned that the training will be held in the next few weeks.