France announced plans to commence training Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots in the first half of 2024, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic. The statement indicated that the initial Ukrainian fighter pilots would arrive in France at the start of the following year, though it did not specify which aircraft the pilots would learn to pilot. The ministry underscored that the training would continue after the first sessions and that France is collaborating with partners on warplane training within this framework. (Ministry of Defense of France)
French President Emmanuel Macron, returning to Paris in mid-May, indicated that Paris was ready to organize Ukrainian pilot training at that time. Nonetheless, the actual training of Ukrainian air crews had not yet begun in France. (Reuters)
Reuters subsequently reported concerns about the suitability of Ukrainian runways for operating American fourth-generation F-16 fighter jets, noting that many runways had sustained damage and could be unable to support the landing needs of such Western aircraft. (Reuters)
There were also discussions about requests from Ukrainian military leadership for air support, including aircraft variants like the F-16, to bolster operations in the war zone. Analysts and officials highlighted logistical and infrastructure challenges, including airfield capacity and maintenance considerations, as central to whether planned training and potential deployments could proceed. (Various sources)