American and Dutch F-16 pilots are in Ukraine, over Kiev, claims a French investigative publication. What is their role
An F-16 plane leaves the Netherlands for Ukraine. PHOTO: Robin van Lonkhuijsen / AFP / Profimedia
Ukraine has created an international squadron of F-16 fighter jets, which includes both Ukrainian and Western pilots, writes Intelligence Online, a French publication specializing in secret services and diplomacy. Kiev has not publicly confirmed the existence of the international squadron.
An air unit that includes Western pilots operates under the command of the Ukrainian Air Force and is meant to help defend the Kiev region against regular Russian missile and drone attacks.
According to French publication Intelligence Online, quoted by Polish television (TVP), the squadron was formed “in the last few weeks” and has been operating since then, intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles, such as the Kalibr and Kh-101.
The publication states that the squadron includes American and Dutch pilots with extensive combat experience and training.
Among the American pilots in Ukraine are veterans of combat in Afghanistan and the Middle East. The Netherlands brought in pilots trained at elite European aviation schools, specializing in modern tactical air combat techniques and high-tech air operations.
The foreign pilots operate on temporary, renewable six-month contracts and often fly night patrols, when Russia frequently launches drone and missile strikes against cities and infrastructure.
Western pilots advantage
One of the key advantages Western pilots offer, according to the report, is their experience in using the advanced targeting and sensor systems installed on modern F-16 jets.
According to the publication, the Ukrainian crews were already familiar with some parts of these systems, but “only partially, due to the lack of long-term training on this type of Western systems.”
Ukraine has long argued that its older Soviet-era planes lack the modern technology needed to counter Russian weapons. Western countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States, have supported training programs to integrate Ukrainian pilots into F-16 operations.
What an American senator said two years ago
As early as 2023, the Ukrainian Air Force considered the possibility of signing contracts with foreign military specialists, including pilots and technicians, The Moscow Times also writes.
In 2024, during a visit to Kyiv, Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham mentioned that Ukraine could hire veteran US pilots to fly F-16s while Ukrainian specialists were undergoing training.
“The Ukrainians will look to NATO countries for trained pilots who have retired to help them until Ukraine trains its own pilots,” Graham said.
However, to date there has been no official announcement regarding foreign pilots.
