France begins training Ukrainian pilots on Rafale fighter jets
Photo: French Rafale fighter jet (Getty Images)
Paris has begun training the first Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighter jets ahead of their potential transfer to Ukraine, states Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad.
According to the French official, Paris is currently negotiating with Kyiv over the delivery of Rafale fighters, which Ukrainian crews will operate directly.
France has already launched the relevant training program.
"We are currently negotiating with the Ukrainians on the delivery of Rafale fighter jets piloted not by French pilots, but by Ukrainians," Haddad stated.
The training process for military aviators follows the traditional Air Force pathway.
Initially, pilots train on Grob G-120TP light trainer aircraft, then transition to advanced Dornier Alpha Jet trainers, and only then master complex fighter jets.
Ukraine could receive the first four aircraft immediately upon completion of this training course.
In July, France and Ukraine announced the adoption of a "roadmap" outlining the acquisition of 16 Rafale fighters and associated weaponry.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, the first of these is expected to fly in Ukrainian airspace as early as 2028–2029.
Furthermore, a letter of intent signed in November 2025 provides for a possible expansion of the order to 100 fighters over the next decade.
At the same time, aerospace analysts note that the project remains shrouded in uncertainty.
No firm contract has yet been signed between the parties, and the 2028–2029 timeline is extremely tight given Dassault Aviation's current production capacity of three aircraft per month.
The cost and financing structure of the deal also remain undefined.
In September 2026, French Minister Delegate for Europe Benjamin Haddad outlined important forecasts regarding further cooperation between Kyiv and Paris.
According to him, France's support for Ukraine will continue even after the end of President Emmanuel Macron's term.
In addition, the official emphasized that Ukraine already plays a key role in the European security architecture and will retain this significance going forward.
For this very reason, Haddad noted, it was entirely natural to involve Ukraine in key EU mechanisms, including the SAFE financial instrument designed to stimulate defense investment.
