Frank St. John, the chief operations officer of the defense manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, stated that they are ready to train Ukrainians to pilot F-16s once NATO reaches an agreement.
Pentagon contractor Lockheed Martin is ready to train Ukrainians to fly and maintain F-16s, if NATO allies agree to send the jets to Kiev, Frank St. John, the defense manufacturer's chief operations officer, said on Monday.
"We are standing by, ready to not only backfill need as it arises with new F-16 builds but also any modifications to F-16s as well as training, equipment and systems," St. John was quoted by the British newspaper as saying ahead of the Paris Air Show, adding that a decision on this would be made only after discussions between Ukraine, the US and its NATO allies.
Lockheed Martin may also consider establishing a base in Ukraine or near its territory after conflict is over, the company official said.
"When these hostilities end, there will have to be a sustaining presen...