Ukraine has reached an agreement with France to purchase 16 Rafale multirole fighter aircraft along with their associated weapons packages, French President Emmanuel Macron announced after a meeting of nations supporting Ukraine held in Paris on Monday.
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Macron said the two leaders had finalized a bilateral roadmap that also covers the procurement of an initial batch of next-generation SAMP/T NG air-defense systems. Deliveries of the batteries, supporting equipment, and interceptor missiles are expected to begin in the coming weeks. France has additionally pledged to supply radar systems and more missile stocks to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
As part of the agreement, France and Ukraine will establish licensing arrangements enabling Ukrainian industry to manufacture several key defense technologies domestically. These include the AASM precision-guided bomb kit, the Aster 30 interceptor used by the SAMP/T air-defense system, and the SCALP/Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile.
Ukraine has faced mounting challenges in countering Russian ballistic missile attacks due to limited interceptor inventories. The shortfall has exposed weaknesses in its air-defense network as Russia has intensified strikes using ballistic weapons. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that Washington would permit Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors locally, although building the necessary manufacturing capability is expected to require several years.
Macron emphasized that Ukraine’s most pressing requirement is stronger protection against ballistic missile threats. He said the new agreement directly addresses that need while supporting a broader initiative led by Zelenskyy to rapidly improve the country’s anti-ballistic defense capabilities.
France is among nine nations—including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Norway—that have joined a newly formed coalition to help Ukraine develop an advanced anti-ballistic air-defense network. According to a joint statement, the project, known as Freyja, will be built around an interceptor developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point.
In parallel with strengthening its air-defense network, Ukraine continues to modernize its air force as it phases out aging Soviet-era combat aircraft. In May, Kyiv agreed to purchase 20 new Gripen fighter jets, while Sweden plans to donate 16 older Gripen aircraft next year. Ukraine has also incorporated F-16 fighters into its fleet, using them primarily to intercept Russian cruise missiles and Shahed attack drones.
According to Macron, the first Rafale fighters could enter Ukrainian service between 2028 and 2029. Training programs for Ukrainian pilots are scheduled to begin within the coming months in preparation for the aircraft’s arrival.
Ukraine had previously signaled its interest in the French fighter by signing a letter of intent in November to purchase as many as 100 Rafale aircraft built by Dassault Aviation. That followed an earlier agreement with Sweden in October expressing Ukraine’s intention to acquire up to 150 Gripen fighters manufactured by Saab.
