Ukrainian Pilots Could Begin Training on French Rafale Jets Soon, Zelensky Says
Ukrainian pilots will soon begin Rafale training in France, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday, Oct. 5, following a telephone discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron. As Kyiv moves toward its planned purchase of 16 Rafale jets, Paris is preparing a new defense package for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on October 5 that Ukrainian pilots will begin training on French Rafale jets in the near future, following a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky emphasized the importance of this training for Ukrainian combat aviation. The training will take place in France, where Paris is also preparing a new package of military supplies for Ukraine, which Kyiv anticipates receiving soon.
Macron reaffirmed France's unwavering support for Ukraine, stating their commitment to assisting Ukraine in countering Russia's aggression. The call occurred as Ukraine prepares for its fifth winter of conflict, with ongoing concerns about Russia's targeting of critical infrastructure. In addition to training pilots, Ukrainian and French teams are collaborating on the production of French missiles and aerial bombs in Ukraine.
The groundwork for this cooperation was established in July, when Paris agreed to support licensed production of various military equipment in Ukraine. The two nations are also advancing FREYJA, a joint initiative to develop an affordable anti-ballistic missile defense system.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
