Ukrainian pilots to soon start training on French Rafale jets, Zelensky says
France is using Grob G-120TP and Dornier Alpha Jet trainers before any Rafale transfer, with the first four jets set to follow after training.
- On Monday, Oct 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian pilots will soon begin training on French Rafale aircraft in France, calling it a 'significant step forward for Ukraine's combat aviation.'
- Following a November 2025 letter of intent to acquire up to 100 Rafales, Kyiv and Paris agreed on a roadmap in July for the first 16 jets, with pilots following the standard French Air Force training path.
- Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian and French teams are 'continuing to work on localizing the production of French missiles and aerial bombs in Ukraine,' including AASM Hammer glide bombs, SCALP cruise missiles, and Aster 30 interceptors.
- France pledged two more SAMP/T air defense systems by the end of 2026, as both leaders discussed winter preparations as Russia continues targeting energy infrastructure during Ukraine's fifth winter of war.
- The two leaders agreed to meet in the near future to discuss defense details, while also advancing FREYJA, a Ukraine-led initiative developing an affordable anti-ballistic missile defense system involving European partners.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Ukrainian pilots to train in France on Rafale fighter jets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said pilots from Ukraine’s Armed Forces will soon begin training in France to fly Rafale fighter jets, which Paris has pledged to deliver to Kyiv. Zelensky announced the plan on October 5 following a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Zelensky, the main topic of the call was Ukraine’s war effort and the need for additional resources to defend against Russian aggression. M…
Ukrainian pilots to soon start training on French Rafale jets, Zelensky says
France is preparing fresh defense assistance for Ukraine amid relentless Russian aerial attacks, with a new support package expected "soon," Zelensky revealed after his call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Other defence cooperation with France has also been announced. Ukrainian pilots will soon train on French aircraft Rafale. France is also preparing new defence assistance to Ukraine. RBK-Ukraine reports this with reference to the statement of the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, on Facebook. Training on Rafale and defence package after speaking with French President Emmanuel McRon Zelensky thanked the country for its full support. "We ha…
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