Dutch defence chief recalled Juice at F-16 training centre

Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren recalled Ukrainian ace pilot Andriy Pilshchikov "Juice" in her speech during the opening of the F-16 pilot training centre in Romania. About this Kaisa Ollongren wrote in the social network X (Twitter).

During the speech I remembered the deceased Andriy Pilshchikov, a Ukrainian ace pilot with the call sign "Juice". He was a big proponent of the transition to F-16s. Thanks in part to his efforts, we are now able to train a new generation of pilots," Kaisa Ollongren wrote.

The first European F-16 Training Centre (EFTC) opened on 13 November in Romania. The training centre is designed to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots in the F-16.

The opening took place in the presence of the US and Ukrainian ambassadors to Romania. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin was also represented.

According to Ollongren, training Ukrainian pilots and supplying F-16 aircraft to Ukraine will be an important step in Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression.