France completes training of Ukraine pilots on Alphajets for F-16 prep

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Sep 2024 20:48
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Ukrainian pilots had been in training since March.

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Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

The French armed forces announced on Friday that they have completed training the first group of Ukrainian pilots on Alphajets, a precursor to their upcoming F-16 training in Romania.

"France has just finished the training of the first group of Ukrainian pilots on Alphajet," the military said on X.

The Ukrainian Air Force has likewise posted the announcement.

Ukrainian Air Force Pilots Complete Alphajet Training in France

We are proud to announce that our group of pilots has successfully completed training on the French Alphajet with @Armee_de_lair. Since March 2024, they've honed their skills.

A heartfelt thank you to France for… pic.twitter.com/Jd9a7CgeFM
— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) September 20, 2024

Ukrainian pilots had been in training since March, the statement added.

In June, Le Monde reported that France had selected 10 Ukrainian pilots for training on Alpha Jets, a program that was shortened from the usual 18 months to six months.

France delayed the retirement of its Alpha Jets specifically for this training, which prepares the pilots for their future F-16 jet training in Romania.

Overall, France committed to training 26 Ukrainian pilots over two years.

The Alpha Jet, developed in the 1970s through a Franco-German NATO collaboration, was set to be replaced by more modern aircraft in 2023.

Phase Out Old Weapons in Ukraine

Prior reports have suggested that the USand European countries are sending older weapons, such as Soviet-era tanks and Cold War-era missiles, to Ukraine as they phase out these systems to make room for newer technologies.

This strategy serves two purposes: aiding Ukraine in its immediate military needs and allowing Western defense industries to modernize and develop next-generation weapons.

However, challenges such as supply chain issues and political complexities have slowed production efforts despite the urgent need for replenishing stockpiles and developing new capabilities.

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?