William Molinié, edited by Corentin Alloune / Photo credit: Ludovic MARIN / AFP
New stage in France’s commitment alongside Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Emmanuel Macron announced Monday evening his desire to open training to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on French soil.
“We opened the door to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.” Emmanuel Macron announced a new stage in France’s commitment alongside Ukraine, Monday evening on TF1, the day after a tete-a-tete with Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysée. If the schedule accelerates, the first operational Ukrainian pilots are not ready to fly. This training of this staff takes a lot of time.
An initial training of 4 years
It takes at least four years for a young recruit starting from scratch. The candidate will have to acquire an engineer level and have a good physical condition. This duration can be shortened for experienced pilots who have already flown Soviet aircraft.
But to pass on French mirages or American F-35s, the Ukrainians will have to learn to handle a new weapon system at NATO standard. It takes between six months and a year. The issue of aircraft delivery will come next.
Which models and how much?
France has a dozen Mirages 2000-D, retired from active service but in combat condition. There is no taboo, recalled Emmanuel Macron who intends to remain vague on the modalities for security issues. The French Air Force is in any case already ready since it has been welcoming Ukrainian crews at Mont-de-Marsan and Nancy since the beginning of the year. But until now, it was only about training in ground-to-air defense and survival in case of ejection.
France, which will also train ground troops, deliver new ammunition, light armor but still no combat aircraft for Ukraine back home with new powerful weapons, announces all the same Volodymyr Zelensky, back in Kiev after a three-day European tour.