Ukrainian Mirage fighter pilots will not need additional training to fly Rafale jets – Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Those pilots who already have experience on Mirage aircraft – and we know this very well – will not need to spend a year training to fly future Rafale jets. They will transition very quickly," Zelensky said.

He added that the agreement on the supply of French Rafale aircraft is historic and will significantly strengthen Ukraine's fighter jet fleet.

On November 17, Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and Emmanuel Macron of France signed a declaration on cooperation in the acquisition of defense equipment by Ukraine. The document enables Ukraine to purchase military equipment from France's defense industrial and technological base, including 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035, as well as SAMP/T air defense systems, air defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine