The Czech government has approved a programme to train up to eight Ukrainian pilots on the operation of F-16 fighter jets, the Defence Ministry announced on 9 July. State-owned trainer LOM Praha will provide 150 hours of instruction per pilot using simulators and L-39 aircraft. The initiative is budgeted at about 32 million koruna (roughly $1.5 million) and will be financed entirely by Prague, placing no cost on Kyiv. Training is expected to begin this year and be completed by the end of 2026. Although the Czech Republic does not operate F-16s, the move aligns it with the multinational ‘aviation coalition’ that is supplying aircraft and training to help modernise Ukraine’s air force amid Russia’s continuing invasion. The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium and Norway have pledged F-16s, while the United States and United Kingdom are among nations already instructing Ukrainian personnel.