The Czech Republic will train eight Ukrainian F-16 pilots by the end of 2026

The Czech Republic will train eight Ukrainian F-16 pilots by the end of 2026

On Wednesday, the Czech government approved the Ministry of Defence’s proposal to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.

This was reported by the Czech Ministry of Defence.

According to the decision of the Czech government, the state enterprise LOM Praha will provide 150 hours of flight training for a maximum of eight Ukrainian pilots by the end of 2026.

"The pilots will undergo training on F-16 aircraft, which the Czech army does not use, but the Ukrainian side is also interested in training on simulators and subsonic L-39 planes," the statement said.

All expenses on the Czech side for the training provision – 32 million crowns – will be covered from the approved budget of the Czech Ministry of Defence, clarified the government.

"We have the facilities, know-how, and experience, and in cooperation with the Army of the Czech Republic, we are ready to offer them where they are really needed," says LOM Praha director Jiří Protiva.