The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that approximately 100 pilot candidates will be trained in order to expand and professionalise the country’s aviation personnel pool as combat operations against Russia continue.
In an update published by the Ministry on 2 January 2026, it was stated that increasing aviation training capacity is driven both by wartime operational requirements and by long-term plans to integrate Western-origin aircraft, NATO standards and procedures into the structure of the Ukrainian Air Force.
In addition to pilot training, it was announced that following qualification examinations conducted in 2025, state certificates were awarded to 437 aviation personnel. It was noted that the certifications cover a wide range of professions, including pilots, engineers, technical staff, airport support and logistics specialists, as well as surveillance and reconnaissance systems operators.
UAV Operators in the Spotlight
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) formed a significant part of Ukraine’s 2025 aviation training programme. According to Ministry data, more than 5,000 UAV operators were trained throughout the year. This figure clearly highlights the central role of drones in Ukraine’s air and ground operations.
Local Training Network Expanded
One of the notable developments of 2025 was the expansion of the certified local training network within Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence stated that this process gained momentum following a Cabinet of Ministers decision adopted on 1 October 2024, which launched an experimental certification framework for training institutions.
Over the course of the year, eight new organisations gained certified status, bringing the total number of authorised training institutions to 34. Of these centres, 19 are specifically focused on training UAV operators.
Multi-Year Cooperation with International Partners
The reported training activities are considered part of a long-term effort carried out within the framework of a multinational structure known as the “Air Force Capability Coalition,” which supports Ukraine’s transition to Western combat aviation.
The United States, Denmark and the Netherlands are taking leading roles in pilot and ground crew training for F-16 operations, infrastructure development, maintenance and interoperability.
France, meanwhile, is providing Alpha Jet training to Ukrainian pilots and has expanded technical personnel training and aircraft-specific preparation support in parallel with the supply of Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. In addition, on 17 November 2025, a letter of intent was signed between Ukraine and France covering the potential acquisition of up to 100 Rafale fighter aircraft. This agreement took place approximately one month after a similar understanding with Sweden regarding Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighter aircraft.
A Distributed Training Ecosystem
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence emphasised that the programmes being implemented aim not merely at one-dimensional pilot training, but at modernising the air force under wartime conditions, ensuring operational continuity, and building a comprehensive aviation workforce ecosystem.
