Some Ukrainian pilots start learning English in preparation for F-16 flying

Several Ukrainian pilots have already taken language courses in preparation for flying F-16 fighter jets.

This was reported by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

"I don't have specific numbers ... and I don't have exact dates when people will move from this training to pilot training, but yes, English language courses have already begun," Singh said.

She also said that a possible US government shutdown could affect the training of Ukrainian pilots.

"So you are going to have military uniformed personnel coming in, performing their duties, but as a result, you're going to have a majority of civilian personnel furloughed. So civilian personnel that are involved in the training of Ukrainian pilots, such as English language training is what we're talking about right now, absolutely there could be impacts to training," Sabrina Singh added.

It will be recalled that the Pentagon is to send Ukraine five billion dollars worth of weapons and equipment. However, it has only $1.6 billion left for contracts with manufacturers for rearmament. 

Congress must pass new funding before the end of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30. If this does not happen, the government will shut down. 

Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian military would start fighter jet flying exercises in October 2023.