France will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly the Rafale

The first stages of training Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighters will begin in November.

France will sell 16 Rafale fighters with accompanying weapons to Ukraine; they will begin to be used in 2028–2029.

PARIS, Oct 8 - RIA Novosti. The first stages of training Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighters will begin in November, said the head of the Republic's Ministry of Defense Catherine Vautrin.

“Already in November we will begin the initial training of Ukrainian pilots to fly the Rafale,” Vautrin said at a speech to the defense commission in the lower house of the French parliament.

In July, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Ukraine would purchase 16 Rafale fighter jets with accompanying weapons from France, which would begin to be used in 2028-2029. At the same time, the French leader added that training of pilots to work with French aircraft will begin in the coming months.