IRIA News

4 minute read

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has recently completed training another cohort of Ukrainian pilots, elevating the total number of graduates from its Elementary Flying Training (EFT) program to 200 since its launch in 2023.

The EFT program forms the foundational phase of a comprehensive training regimen designed to develop the skills of Ukrainian pilots. These pilots are expected to utilize their expertise to defend Ukraine’s skies in increasingly complex and demanding scenarios, which necessitate the skills and knowledge gained through their training under the RAF and additional partner nations.

This first phase, hosted by the UK, involved 80 hours of flight training using the GROB-115, a German-manufactured light aircraft. The GROB-115, with a top speed of approximately 220 kilometers per hour, serves as an accessible and efficient training aircraft suitable for beginner to intermediate levels of instruction.

During their flight training, Ukrainian pilots received instruction on critical aviation competencies including aircraft handling, low-level navigation, formation flying, and instrument-based flying, all under the rigorous guidance of RAF instructors. Additionally, these trainees underwent specialized English language training, facilitating smoother communication and interoperability with NATO air forces, which rely on English as the standard language for operational coordination.

RAF officials and aviation experts emphasize that this introductory stage is just the beginning of a complex multi-phase program crafted to equip Ukrainian pilots for operating advanced fighter jets under combat conditions.

The second stage of training, led by the French Air Force, will include approximately 80 hours of flight time on the Alpha Jet aircraft, a light attack jet with capabilities specifically tailored to help prepare pilots for operating fourth-generation fighter jets such as the F-16.

With a top speed exceeding 900 kilometers per hour, the Alpha Jet also features a modified instrument panel that resembles that of an F-16, allowing pilots to transition more easily to the advanced combat platform. Alongside actual flight hours, the trainees will spend an additional 60 hours using simulators designed to sharpen their skills in virtual environments before taking control of a real F-16.

After completing their training in France, the pilots will proceed to Romania, where they will receive instruction on F-16 fighter jets at the European F-16 Training Center, located at the Fetesti Air Base. This final stage is pivotal, as the F-16 is a vastly superior and faster aircraft than any previously operated by the Ukrainian Air Force.

With a top speed of over 2,100 kilometers per hour, the F-16 is a fourth-generation multirole fighter that has been instrumental in the air operations of NATO-aligned forces worldwide. It’s anticipated that the skills acquired at this stage will significantly enhance the Ukrainian Air Force’s combat readiness and capacity to defend against Russia’s air and missile threats.

The training effort is part of a broader initiative known as the Air Capability Coalition, established in 2023 by the UK in partnership with the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands. While the UK does not operate F-16s in its air force, it has nonetheless played a crucial role in coordinating the provision of training and technical resources necessary for Ukraine to operate this aircraft. This coalition has worked tirelessly to build a framework through which NATO-aligned countries can support Ukraine’s defensive capabilities without directly engaging in the conflict, thus balancing strategic aid with geopolitical restraint.

In addition to receiving training support, Ukraine also received its first batch of F-16s from Western allies earlier this year in August. This move has been seen as a critical enhancement of Ukraine’s air capabilities. However, the path toward modernizing Ukraine’s air fleet has not been without its challenges. Shortly after the delivery of one of the F-16 jets, it crashed during a mission to repel a Russian air strike, resulting in the death of the Ukrainian pilot.

The UK’s role in preparing Ukrainian pilots to operate advanced combat aircraft is a testament to the strength and adaptability of international coalitions dedicated to supporting Ukraine. With 200 pilots now equipped with essential flight skills and tactical training, Ukraine’s air defenses are poised to gain the strength, resilience, and technological parity needed in their enduring defense efforts.