Zelenskyy: Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Rafale jets soon

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainian pilots will soon begin training on French Rafale fighter jets following a conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

Zelenskyy said the two leaders had discussed Russia's terrorist escalation and Ukraine's defence needs.

"New defence deliveries are now being prepared, and we expect a new package to arrive in Ukraine soon. We discussed its contents. Ukrainian pilots will also begin training on French Rafale aircraft in France in the near future. This is a strong step for Ukraine's combat aviation," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Zelenskyy added that teams from both countries are continuing to work on localising the production of French missiles and aerial bombs in Ukraine.

Last week, Le Parisien reported that France has begun preparations to train the first Ukrainian pilots to fly French Rafale fighter jets ahead of a possible delivery of 16 aircraft in 2028-2029.

In July, Macron said Ukraine will receive its first batch of French Rafale fighter jets in 2028-2029.