June 2026 will mark four years of Operation Interflex, a UK-led multinational training programme for Ukrainian military personnel. Since its inception in 2022, 63,000 Ukrainians have completed Interflex training, including 11,000 military instructors, providing a vital boost to Ukraine’s military training system.
The latest group of Ukrainian student pilots graduated from the Royal Air Force’s Elementary Flying Training programme at a ceremony attended by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, and Air Officer Commanding 22 Group, Air Vice Marshal Sharrocks.
Ukrainian pilots have also completed the UK’s first helicopter instructor training, with more trainees expected to join soon as part of a long-term plan to help Ukraine develop its own pilot training system. The new training programme includes helicopter instructor training, which saw its first graduates in May. Their training took place at No 1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury, part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). The three-year course involved simulator training and in-flight training on the Airbus Helicopters Juno HT.1.
After completing the relevant course, the pilots will train the next generation of Ukrainian military aviators. In addition to recently retired Mi-35 Hind-Es donated by the Czech Republic, Ukraine’s armed forces operate two former Royal Navy Sea King HU.5s donated by the UK.
In the foreseeable future, the training of Ukrainian instructor pilots will be carried out as part of the Interflex training operation, which is transitioning from basic training to specialising Ukrainian trainees in specific skills. More trainees will soon arrive in the UK as part of a long-term collaborative effort with the RAF and NATO partners aimed at helping Ukraine establish its own pilot training system.
by David Oliver
