VOLKEL AIR BASE, June 12 (Reuters) - Ukrainian pilots could begin training to fly US-manufacture F-16 fighter jets as soon as this summer, the Dutch defence minister has told Reuters, a first step toward supplying Kyiv with a powerful, long-term capability in its war with Russia.

NATO allies the Netherlands and Denmark are leading an international coalition to train pilots and support staff, maintain aircraft and ultimately supply F-16s to Ukraine. Previously, the Netherlands had said it aimed to start training Ukrainian pilots "as soon as possible", but had stopped short of specifying when such training could get under way.

"This summer is our ambition. And we'll see if that's realistic" for the start of the training programme, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren told Reuters in an interview.

She said the aim would be to have the training programme fully operational within six months. Denmark, where there are flight simulators, is a possible location to host the programme.

A final decision has not yet been taken on a request from Kyiv to supply dozens of F-16s, Ollongren said. The US-backed training programme will include Belgium and Luxembourg, while France and Britain have offered assistance, she said.

While adopting F-16s will not impact the war in the short-term, it will bring Ukraine more in line with NATO military capabilities, which "is very important for the future", Ollongren said.

"When the war is over Ukraine has to be able to defend itself to deter Russia from trying again. And I think ... that's what the Ukrainians also see."

"It is a very strong weapons system. It's a very strong capability. But it's not going to be available anytime soon and President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, of course, knows that," Ollongren said.

Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the training would begin with two groups of 12 Ukrainian pilots, already experienced flying Soviet-era MiGs. The minister did not specify the initial size of the programme.

Coalition aims to begin Ukrainian F-16 pilot training by summer: Dutch minister