Ukraine and Czech Republic agree to cooperate in training F-16 pilots

F-16 fighter jet, illustrative photo / Lockheed Martin

Ukraine and the Czech Republic have agreed to cooperate in training Ukrainian F-16 pilots.

The prime ministers of Ukraine and the Czech Republic, Denys Shmyhal and Petr Fiala, are meeting in Uzhhorod, the Ukrainian prime minister said.

Denys Shmyhal noted that the parties confirmed the importance of further increasing military, financial, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

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«We will strengthen the integration of the Ukrainian and Czech defence industries. In addition, we agreed to cooperate in the training of Ukrainian pilots of F-16 aircraft», he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Czech Republic would actively support Ukraine's European integration process, in particular by providing advisory assistance during pre-accession negotiations with the EU.

He also expressed gratitude for the adoption by the European Union of the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, in the preparation of which the Czech Republic played a significant role.

«We have agreed to intensify bilateral trade, expand cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, medicine, reconstruction and joint production», said Denys Shmyhal.

As a reminder, on the night of 16 May, the Ukrainian Air Force lost an F-16 fighter jet during a combat mission to repel a Russian air attack.

Last year, on 29 August, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially confirmed that Ukraine had lost its first F-16 fighter jet.

The Pentagon is aware of the loss of the first F-16 fighter jet. They noted that Ukraine had not asked for assistance in investigating the incident.