F-16 manufacturer is ready to train Ukrainian pilots if NATO approves
In an interview with the Financial Times, Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, one of the leaders in the US defence industry, assured that if a positive decision is made to provide their F-16 fighters to Ukraine, they are ready to help train Ukrainian pilots and provide technical support.
– “We are ready to meet not only the needs for new F-16s, but also for any F-16 modifications, as well as training, equipment and systems,” he added.
At the same time, St John stressed that Lockheed Martin is not directly involved in these negotiations.
In his opinion, the Ukrainian military has demonstrated “an incredible ability to learn”. In particular, he mentioned how they quickly mastered and then effectively used Lockheed’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and Javelin missiles on the battlefield.
– Therefore, I am confident that Ukrainian pilots will master the F-16 and will be able to use it very effectively in the shortest possible time,” St John added.
According to him, in the long term, Lockheed may consider establishing a base in or near Ukraine after the conflict is over.
– “When these hostilities are over, there will be a need for a sustained presence for training and maintenance, and the logical place for that is in and around Ukraine,” the Lockheed Martin COO concluded.
Recently, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that Ukrainian pilots will be able to master the F-16 much faster than the standard six months.
He expressed his belief that four months is a realistic timeframe, recalling that they mastered the Caesar system in three weeks, although the standard is at least three months.