The chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman, noted that the main training should be carried out by the countries armed with these fighters
BERLIN, June 9. /tass/. The chairman of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmerman (Free Democratic Party), believes that Germany could offer its airfields to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighters. She expressed this opinion on Thursday evening to the Bild newspaper.
"We have never had an F-16, but we can provide airports in Germany as a hub or offer basic training for pilots who have only flown MiGs so far," Strack-Zimmerman said. The main training on the F-16, according to her, should be carried out by the countries armed with these fighters.
Commenting on Ukraine's possible membership in NATO, the head of the Bundestag committee stressed that now the republic cannot join the alliance. "This is prohibited by the charter, because Ukraine is at war. The requirements for joining NATO are complex and diverse. They must be fulfilled," she stated.
However, Strack-Zimmerman stated that "it would be reasonable for Ukraine to take part in the [alliance's] summit in Vilnius, especially since how NATO will provide Ukraine with security guarantees after the end of the conflict will also be of great importance."
On May 21, US President Joe Biden announced at a press conference following the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima that the West would begin training Ukrainian pilots in the skills of controlling fourth-generation fighters, including the F-16. At the same time, Assistant to the US President for National Security Jake Sullivan said that Washington will discuss with like-minded people in the coming months which states will transfer F-16 aircraft to Kiev.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin indicated on May 25 that Denmark and the Netherlands would lead a European coalition to train Ukrainian pilots to use the F-16. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the issue of F-16 supplies was discussed on June 1 on the sidelines of the summit of the European Political Community in Moldova. Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Sak noted that Kiev expects to receive from Western countries from 40 to 50 F-16 fighters.
