The US Defense Department will start training Ukrainian military personnel next month to fly and maintain F-16 fighter aircraft.

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday.

In September, Ukrainian pilots will begin studying the specialized English required to fly the aircraft. Flight training is expected to start in October at an air national guard base in the western state of Arizona.

Ryder said several pilots and dozens of maintainers are anticipated to take part. He added that training for new pilots typically lasts about eight months, but it could be completed within five months for more experienced pilots.

Some European countries are already planning F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots. The US apparently hopes that Ukrainian forces can start deploying the fighter jets as soon as possible.

Ryder said the US will "remain in close consultation" with its allies to "ensure US training complements the broader coalition training effort."

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Thursday that his country will "donate Norwegian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine." The Netherlands and Denmark have already announced they will provide F-16s to Ukraine.