France to join training of Ukrainian fighter pilots in 2024

France will begin training Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets in early 2024, as the initial part of a training programme that will be continued by European partners.

Source: French Defence Ministry's report on military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion; European Pravda

The French Ministry of Defence noted that in May, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed their readiness to train Ukrainian fighter pilots together with several European partners.

Quote: "The first pilots will come in early 2024. After initial training in France, they will continue their fighter jet training at courses organised by our partners," the report says.

Although the French side does not specify this, these are likely to be training exercises on F-16 fighter jets organised in Europe by a coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands.

In the meantime, Ukrainian pilots have begun training on the F-16s in the United States, where they have moved on to flight training, as well as in Denmark. A training centre has been opened in Romania with the assistance of the Netherlands, which will also train Ukrainians.

The UK also expressed its intention to conduct training for Ukrainians on Western fighter jets.

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