William Molinié, edited by Corentin Alloune / Photo credit: Ludovic MARIN / AFP 07:06, May 16, 2023

New step in the France's engagement with Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Emmanuel Macron announced Monday night his willingness 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 the commitment of the France alongside Ukraine, Monday evening on TF1, the day after a tête-à-tête with Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee. If the schedule accelerates, the first operational Ukrainian pilots are not ready to fly. This training of these staff takes a long time.

An initial 4-year training

It takes at least four years for a young recruit who starts from scratch. The candidate will have to acquire an engineering level and have a good physical condition. This time can be shortened for experienced pilots who have already flown on Soviet aircraft.

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But to switch to French mirages or American F-35s, the Ukrainians will have to learn how to handle a new NATO standard weapons system. It takes between six months and a year. The question of aircraft delivery will come next.

Which models and quantity?

The France has a dozen Mirage 2000-Ds, 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 already ready since the beginning of the year it has been welcoming Ukrainian crews in Mont-de-Marsan and Nancy. But until now, it has only been a question of ground-to-air defense training and survival in case of ejection.

The France, which will also train ground troops, deliver new ammunition, light armored vehicles but still no fighter jets for Ukraine back home with new powerful weapons, announces all the same Volodymyr Zelensky, back in Kiev after a three-day European tour.