Lockheed Martin Corporation, which is a manufacturer of the F-16 fighters, has confirmed readiness to help Ukrainian pilots train on these aircraft.

The statement was made in an interview with the Financial Times by Frank A. St. John, chief operating officer.

The American company can also help obtain skills in the operation and maintenance of these fighters.

“We are prepared not only to meet the needs of the new F-16, but to provide any modifications to the F-16 as well as training, equipment and systems,” St. John said.

He also stressed that the decision on warplanes could be made only as a result of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and other Western allies.

It is noted that Lockheed Martin Corporation does not directly participate in these negotiations.

St. John noted that the Ukrainian military demonstrated an “incredible ability to train” on Western military equipment and effectively use Western weapons, including the production of Lockheed Martin, which played a prominent role on the battlefield.

The operating director of the American corporation is certain that Ukrainian pilots will master F-16 fighters and will be able to use this combat aircraft very effectively in the shortest possible time.

As previously reported, in May it became known that Denmark and the Netherlands would lead the European coalition for training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighters.

In the first wave of training, Ukraine is ready to send 24 pilots to study abroad, who have to master the fighters.

Western warplanes should help the Ukrainian Air Force to be more efficient, including because spare parts and materials for servicing these aircraft are much more affordable than spare parts for the Soviet MiG-29s.

The Ukrainian Air Force noted that the effectiveness of the use of American HARM missiles and JDAM bombs, which Ukraine had already received, would be much better along with multi-purpose F-16 fighters. This would increase the effectiveness of Ukrainian air strikes on Russian invaders at times.