Denmark and the Netherlands are going to lead the coalition of Western countries training Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation aircraft.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with defense leaders from 50 other nations on Thursday, the latest iteration of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which meets to discuss Ukraine's latest needs, and the topic was addressed.

FITCH THREATENS TO DOWNGRADE US'S 'AAA' CREDIT RATING OVER DEBT CEILING STANDOFF

"I especially want to thank Denmark and the Netherlands, which have decided to lead a European coalition in providing F-16 training for Ukrainian forces," Austin told reporters after the meeting. "In the coming weeks, my Dutch and Danish counterparts will work with the United States and other allies to discuss a training framework. Norway, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland have already offered to contribute to the training, and we expect more countries to join this important initiative soon."

The F-16 training will begin in the coming weeks and will presumably require months of training, which is why it is considered a need for them in the long term but will not be able to meet short-term needs.

"We hope this training will begin in the coming weeks," he said while addressing reporters before the meeting began. "This will further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force in the long term. And it will complement our short-term and medium-term security agreements. This new joint effort sends a powerful message about our unity and long-term commitment to Ukraine's self-defense."

Last week, President Joe Biden signed off on a proposal that would permit a group of allies to train Ukrainian pilots in the infancy of a plan designed to get them these aircraft in the coming months, though it's still unclear who will be providing the aircraft to Ukraine.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

One concern cited by national security experts is the exorbitant price tag associated with F-16s, in addition to the costs for maintenance and sustainment.

Austin, when asked about the possibility that providing Ukraine with F-16s could take up a significant percentage of the money Congress allotted for Ukrainian assistance, noted this would be a joint venture and insinuated allies would be sharing the financial burden.