The Jerusalem Post ePaper

‘UK fighter jets to Ukraine impractical’

LONDON (Reuters) – The quickest a pilot could learn to fly a British fighter jet is 35 months, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said Thursday, elaborating on the practical issues Britain has cited in supplying Ukraine with jets to fight Russia.

Britain has said it is not currently practical to send UK fighter jets to Ukraine, given the complexity of the jets and the length of time it takes to train pilots.

“We will continue listening to the Ukrainians and consider what is right for the long term, but – if helpful to understand the situation – the fastest training program for a new pilot is approximately 35 months,” the spokesman told reporters.

“The current UK fast jet training program takes five years,” he added.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Britain had not made a “solid decision” not to send its fighter jets to Ukraine but does not think it is the right approach at the moment.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

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2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://jpost.pressreader.com/article/281676849057509

Jerusalem Post