Greece joins F-16 multirole fighter jet training for Ukraine pilots.

On August 21, 2023, after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Greece would be training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 multirole fighter jets. This announcement is another step for Ukrainian Air Force as Zelenskyy continues his European tour, with stops in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, to secure the delivery of F-16s for Ukraine.

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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Greece would be training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 multirole fighter jets. (Picture source: Greece MoD)

During a press conference in Athens, Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation to Mitsotakis for Greece's willingness to support Ukraine's defense initiatives. This partnership is part of a larger effort, as Ukrainian pilots have already begun their F-16 training in Denmark. Moreover, both Denmark and the Netherlands have committed to supplying Kyiv with these multirole fighter jets once the training is completed, as Air Recognition editorial team reported on August 21, 2023.

Greece, a long-standing operator of the F-16, boasts a fleet of approximately 154 of these jets, some of which have been in service since 1989. In 2018, it was revealed that Lockheed Martin had been tasked with upgrading 84 of Greece's F-16C/D Block 52+ and Block 52+ Advanced (Block 52M) to the F-16V Block 70/72 (F-16 Viper) standard. This upgrade equips the Greek fleet with capabilities typically reserved for 5th-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning II.

Greece's decision to support Ukraine's F-16 training initiative reflects a broader European commitment. By training with multiple NATO nations, Ukrainian pilots are exposed to a wide array of expertise and tactics, ensuring they are well-prepared for any challenges.

A pivotal moment in this initiative occurred on July 11 during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Eleven NATO countries, including Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, and the UK, pledged their support to train Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 combat aircraft.

Following the summit, it was declared that a specialized training school for Ukrainian F-16 pilots would be established in Romania. This last development with Greece is another significant stride in Zelenskyy's ongoing efforts to incorporate F-16s into Ukraine's air defense arsenal.