The defense minister said on Monday that Portugal will provide training to Ukrainian pilots and mechanics to operate the F-16 fighters, a component it considers “absolutely fundamental” to the logistical effort.
“Portugal has sent different types of equipment from the beginning and we have guaranteed our support to Ukraine in this regard and at the moment we are committed to providing training to pilots and mechanics.which, as reported, is an absolutely fundamental part of this support, with air assets such as the F-16,” said Helena Carreiras.
The Minister spoke to journalists at Castelo Branco airport, where she traveled with the Minister of the Interior to visit the aerial firefighting assets funded by the European Union under the European Civil Protection Mechanism (RescEU) .
Ukraine is getting F-16 fighters from the Netherlands and Denmark after the United States (US) recently gave the green light, a decision the Ukrainian government considers “great news”.
The US State Department, responsible for the country’s foreign policy, said the Netherlands and Denmark have received “formal guarantees” to send the fighters once training of the first group of pilots for F-16 is completed.
The United States has strict rules about the resale or transfer of US military equipment by allies.
The Defense Minister also believed that some countries have more capacity and willingness to contribute with the resources, such as Denmark and the Netherlands.
“Us [Portugal] We will contribute with pilot training and mechanic training to this logistical effort that is absolutely critical to the capacity to operate.” concluded Helena Carreiras.
Source: DN
