The Czech Republic will allow Ukrainian pilots of F-16 fighters to undergo special training.
By the end of this year, the Czech Republic will train eight Ukrainian F-16 pilots. The training will be provided by the State enterprise Prague belonging to the Ministry of Defense. This stems from the proposal of the head of the resort Jana Černochová, who approved the Government of the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Based on the information of Novinky.cz, TASR writes about it.
Ukrainians undergo 150 hours of air training on F-16 fighter simulators and in the L-39 trainees. The Czech Republic does not have the F-16 fighter, but the Ukrainian side has also shown interest in training on simulators and aircraft L-39. The program is part of the support that the Czech Republic provides to Ukraine in defense against the invasion of Russia.
“If Ukraine is to continue effectively against Russian aggression, it needs not only military technology, but also well -trained armed forces, including aviation,” said Černochová, adding that the continuation of Kiev’s support is in the strategic interest of the Czech Republic.
According to the statement, the Czech air forces will leave 150 hours of training to Ukrainians with an estimated value of 32 million Czech crowns (almost 1.3 million euros), which they no longer need this year. Training can undergo up to eight Ukrainian pilots.
Training and related services worth approximately 4.5 million crowns (EUR 182,000) are to cover a new amendment to the existing contract between the Defense Ministry and the Prague Lok, as well as the existing agreement on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic and Ukraine.
Ukraine has so far lost four fighter aircraft F-16 in the war with Russia. She got her first machines from the Netherlands and Denmark last summer. In addition, it also has French fighters Mirage 2000. It relies on the F-16 fighters to destroy enemy goals, including aircraft, missiles and drones.
