Ukraine Is Quietly Building Its Next Air Force—Nearly 100 New Combat Pilots Trained in 2025

Ukraine trained nearly 100 new pilot cadets in 2025, a key step in rebuilding and modernizing its Air Force as the country prepares to operate advanced Western aircraft, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said on January 2.

According to the ministry, the training effort was carried out in close coordination with international partners and Ukrainian military academies as part of a broader push to expand the human capital of the Air Force and unmanned systems units.

Several groups of Ukrainian pilots completed training on modern foreign-made aircraft under agreements reached within the Aviation Coalition, the ministry said.

These programs were tailored to reflect real-world combat experience and NATO interoperability standards, ensuring seamless integration with allied air forces.

Beyond pilots, Ukraine also trained a wide range of aviation specialists abroad, including:

• engineering and technical personnel responsible for aircraft readiness;

• ground crews supporting airfield operations and logistics;

• operators of specialized equipment used for surveillance and reconnaissance systems.

Following examinations and qualification testing, aviation personnel received more than 400 state-issued certificates confirming compliance with the highest professional standards, the ministry added.

The effort highlights Ukraine’s long-term focus on sustaining air combat capabilities as Western aircraft gradually enter frontline service and the war continues to reshape the country’s military.

Earlier, reports emerged that Poland and Ukraine were negotiating the potential transfer of Poland’s remaining MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.

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