Future Ukrainian fighter pilots likely to drive American F-16 planes are being trained in the south of France by the Air Force. Around ten Ukrainians, some of whom received prior training in the United Kingdom, are currently in “advanced training” The pilots will then join specific training programs in Ukraine's allied countries that have such aircraft, from which kyiv is awaiting delivery.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, France has trained 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its national territory and in Poland. Several countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania are seeking to help Ukraine train its F- 16 pilots after the green light given by the United States. The French armies had succeeded in adapting AASM guided air-to-ground bombs on Soviet-class aircraft held by the Ukrainians. “It's not the whole point of having a plane, if you don't have trained pilots and the ammunition to go with it,” said the French minister of the Armed Forces.