Ukrainian pilots to begin training on Rafale fighter jets in France in November

The training of Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighter jets will begin in France in November.

Source: Ukrinform, a Ukrainian national news agency, citing French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Vautrin was speaking at a hearing before the National Assembly's Defence Committee on Thursday 8 October. This is the first time the French government has given a specific timeframe for the start of training for Ukrainian pilots.

"The first stages of training for Ukrainian pilots will begin in November," Vautrin said.

Background:

• Earlier, French newspaper Le Parisien reported that France had begun preparations to train the first Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighter jets ahead of a potential delivery of 16 aircraft in 2028-2029.
• In July, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the first training flights for Ukrainian pilots on Rafale aircraft would begin in the coming months.

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