The shift could extend the training program by months, delaying the Ukrainian squadron's battlefield readiness even further.

The decision could extend by many months the timeline for when Kyiv will have a full squadron of the Western-built aircraft ready for the battlefield.

Putting more pilots through training means Ukraine can use the ones who best make the tricky transition to a new kind of fighter jet.

The US is redirecting its training of Ukrainian F-16 pilots toward young cadets rather than experienced Air Force personnel, and this decision could extend the timeline for when Kyiv receives a fully operational squadron of Western-made aircraft by many months.

This could potentially delay the deployment of a full combat-ready squadron in Ukraine until spring 2025. Read also: First batch of F-16s to arrive in Ukraine by end of summer - Ukrainian FM According to the report,