France Is Training Ukrainian Air Force Pilots To Fly Rafale Fighter Jets

Ukraine may receive its first aircraft after the training is completed.

France has begun preparations to train the first Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighter jets ahead of a possible delivery of 16 aircraft in 2028–2029, according to Le Parisien.

This marks a new phase in France’s military support for Kyiv and follows the July 13 announcement that France and Ukraine had signed a “roadmap” providing for Kyiv’s acquisition of 16 Rafale fighter jets.

“We are currently negotiating with the Ukrainians regarding the delivery of Rafale aircraft, which will be flown not by French pilots, but by Ukrainian pilots,” said Benjamin Addad, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, adding that Paris has already “begun training these pilots.”

According to information released in recent months, the first four aircraft could be delivered once the Ukrainian pilots have completed their training.

Under traditional Air Force training programs, pilots first train on training aircraft, such as the Grob G-120TP light aircraft and the four-engine Dornier Alpha Jet trainers, and then transition to advanced fighter jets.

Although the first batch of 16 aircraft has already been approved, up to 100 Rafale aircraft may be ordered for the Ukrainian Air Force over the next 10 years. This is stated in a letter signed on November 17, 2025, by Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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