The initiative was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague.
“Our representatives at the level of government officials and military are discussing the next steps in the development of our aviation coalition. Namely, the creation of a Ukrainian-Czech F-16 school,” said President Zelensky.
Why the School Will Be Abroad
Due to ongoing Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian territory, the establishment of such training centers inside Ukraine is currently not feasible.
“Obviously, as of now, due to security reasons, we cannot create such a base in Ukraine. Russian strikes continue daily, and therefore we are working with partners so that such schools can be opened outside Ukraine. And it will be,” Zelensky emphasized.
Part of the Broader Aviation Coalition
The school will play a vital role in the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets, particularly the F-16, and represents the growing commitment of European allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defense and long-term military capability.
Background
The aviation coalition, which includes countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, the United States, and now the Czech Republic, has pledged to provide aircraft, training, and technical support to Ukraine.
