France Opens Door to Rafale Fighter Jets as Ukrainian Pilot Training Begins

France has initiated preliminary preparations to train Ukrainian pilots on Rafale fighter jets, with plans to eventually order 100 aircraft to bolster the Ukrainian Air Force.

Paris and Kyiv have already agreed on an initial batch of 16 jets, with the first deliveries expected between 2028 and 2029. Following the completion of the training program, the first four Rafale fighters are slated for immediate transfer to Ukraine's military. Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for European Affairs of France, confirmed the development during an interview with franceinfo.

"We are currently discussing with the Ukrainians the question of sending Rafale fighters, piloted not by French, but by Ukrainian pilots, in Ukrainian skies. That is why we have also started the work to train these pilots," Haddad stated.

The training plan aligns with earlier statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who announced in July that instruction for Ukrainian pilots and technicians would begin in France before the end of the year.

To support basic and advanced flight instruction, France relies on Grob G-120TP trainer aircraft and Dornier Alpha Jet aircraft.

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These platforms allow pilots to master navigation, flight controls, and combat maneuvers before transitioning to modern multirole fighters.

On February 20, 2026, Ukraine was reportedly set to receive two Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France by the end of the first quarter of 2026 as part of a military assistance package.

The delivery of those planes included additional training for both pilots and ground personnel responsible for their maintenance. In the long term, the Ukrainian Air Force was expected to have at least six French Mirage 2000 jets.

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