Macron and Zelensky Sign Accord to Explore Up to 100 Rafale Jets for Ukraine
Macron and Zelensky Sign Accord to Explore Up to 100 Rafale Jets for Ukraine
France and Ukraine ink a long-term letter of intent to explore up to 100 Rafale jets and other defense systems over a decade, signaling sustained support amid the war.
France's president Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an accord at the Villacoublay air base near Paris, outlining possible future contracts for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets "with their associated weapons" alongside SAMP-T air defense systems, radar suites and drones. The letter of intent is not a binding purchase contract and would be realized over a timeframe of about 10 years, a French official said.
Zelenskyy called the move historic, while Macron framed it as a way to help Ukraine respond to Russian aggression. The signing takes place amid a difficult winter ahead, with Russian strikes hitting eastern Ukraine and, overnight, reports of casualties in the Kharkiv region as the conflict persists.
France has previously delivered Mirage jets to Kyiv, and, in a related development, Ukraine had already signed a letter of intent to acquire 100 to 150 Swedish Gripen fighter jets. The long timeline underscores a long-term commitment, with deliveries envisioned after the conflict and a focus on strengthening Ukrainian air defenses.
The accord also envisages collaboration on air defense and related technologies, reinforcing France's ongoing support for Kyiv as Moscow presses its campaign and Kyiv pursues domestic reforms. While not a final sales deal, the agreement signals a clear intent to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities over the coming decade.
Cover image source: France Agrees to Sell Up to 100 Rafale Fighter Jets to Ukraine 🔗
