In Canada, More Than 20 Ukrainian Pilots Are Preparing To Transition To F-16 And Gripen Fighter Jets
- 12.09.2026, 16:29
The pilots will gain valuable experience.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a group of Ukrainian military pilots who are undergoing training in Canada in preparation for their future transition to Western fighter jets, including the F-16 and the Swedish Gripen. This was reported by Defence Blog.
Zelenskyy arrived at the International Military Pilot Training School in North Bay, Ontario. During the visit, he sat in a flight simulator, and Ukrainian pilots told him how the L-39 combat trainer performs compared to Soviet-era aircraft.
It is noted that this school has been training Ukrainian pilots to transition to F-16 and Gripen fighter jets starting in April 2025. Currently, 21 Ukrainian military personnel are training there, undergoing the third and fourth stages of flight training on L-39s prior to transitioning to modern fighter jets.
“We are very proud that Ukraine—and our armed forces—have this generation of young pilots. Thank you to everyone who, along this path—during training and at the training grounds—is raising the level of preparation for each of you. I truly want you to gain exactly this kind of experience—modern experience. We already have more than just F-16s. The Gripens will arrive this year. Other aircraft will follow in due course. But perhaps the most important thing is the caliber of our pilots,” Zelenskyy said, addressing the pilots.
The publication noted that this visit was part of the Ukrainian president’s broader trip to Canada, during which a presentation of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle technologies was also held in the province of Alberta with the participation of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
