**Czech Republic to Host New Pilot Training School for Ukraine**
In a bid to speed up the preparation of Ukrainian pilots for western fighter jets like the F-16, the Czech Republic has agreed to establish a training program for Ukrainian Air Force pilots on F-16s and L-39 training aircraft. The announcement was made by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague.
The new pilot training school is aimed at addressing concerns that the preparation of Ukrainian pilots for F-16s has been progressing too slowly to immediately strengthen Ukraine’s Air Force capabilities. The training program will be conducted by instructors from other NATO countries, and the Czech Republic will provide its infrastructure for the purpose.
According to Retired Colonel Zdenek Petras, an analyst at the University of Defense in Brno, the L-39 aircraft will not allow full mastery of the fourth-generation F-16 fighter. Additionally, using actual F-16s will present another challenge – the lack of Czech instructors who have experience with the JAS-39 Gripen platform used for national air defense and NATO missions.
However, Petras noted that the Czech Republic can still provide its infrastructure for training conducted by instructors from other NATO countries. Fiala mentioned that training within the “coalition of the willing” could take place in Náměšť nad Oslavou, where a military airport is located. The modern Flight Training Center at the military air base in Pardubice could also be used for Ukrainian pilot training.
**Background:**
The training of Ukrainian pilots started in August 2023 in the UK and other European countries. Ukraine reportedly began training fighter pilots on Czech models that are being supplied to Ukraine. However, the pace of aircraft deliveries has been slow, with only 10 out of the promised 79 F-16 fighters received by Ukraine so far.
The challenge lies not only in the capacity of training centers and the speed of training Ukrainian military personnel but also in the slow pace of aircraft deliveries. Ukrainian authorities have been requesting modern F-16 fighters from the West since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, with several countries deciding to supply Kyiv with these aircraft last year.
**Commentary:**
The establishment of a new pilot training school in the Czech Republic is a welcome development that aims to speed up the preparation of Ukrainian pilots for western fighter jets like the F-16. However, as Retired Colonel Zdenek Petras noted, using actual F-16s will present another challenge – the lack of Czech instructors who have experience with similar platforms.
The slow pace of aircraft deliveries is also a concern, with only 10 out of the promised 79 F-16 fighters received by Ukraine so far. The training program will be conducted by instructors from other NATO countries, and the Czech Republic will provide its infrastructure for the purpose. While this may not address all the challenges faced by Ukrainian pilots, it is an important step towards strengthening Ukraine’s Air Force capabilities.
In conclusion, the new pilot training school in the Czech Republic aims to speed up the preparation of Ukrainian pilots for western fighter jets like the F-16. However, as with any complex program, there will be challenges to overcome, and close attention will need to be paid to ensure that these goals are met.
