Ukraine has taken a major step toward strengthening its long-term security, signing a letter of intent with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets along with drones, air defense systems, and other key military equipment over the next decade.
According to The Associated Press, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron formalized the agreement Monday at the Elysée presidential palace, marking one of Kyiv’s most significant defense commitments since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Zelenskyy called the package “a historic deal,” emphasizing its long-term importance.
“Firstly, Ukraine will be able to receive 100 Rafale fighter jets (and) very strong French radars — eight air-defense systems SAMP/T, each with six launching systems,” he said. “This is a strategic agreement that will work for 10 years, starting next year.”
Macron hailed the development as “a new step forward” in the relationship between the two countries. He said the agreement includes France’s latest-generation Rafales with full armament, as well as training and production programs designed to support Ukraine’s future fleet.
The Rafale, France’s most advanced multi-role fighter jet, carries an estimated price tag of more than $100 million per aircraft. It has seen extensive overseas deployment and is considered one of the most capable fighter platforms on the global market.
The deal also covers drones, drone interceptors, guided bombs, and next-generation SAMP/T ground-to-air systems. Macron said initial deliveries are expected over the next three years, though no timeline was provided for the first Rafales.
France’s top military officer, Air Force Gen. Fabien Mandon, recently told French lawmakers that the SAMP/T systems already supplied to Ukraine have performed better than U.S.-made Patriot batteries against difficult Russian missile threats.
A French government official said Rafale production can be increased to meet Ukraine’s demand without diverting aircraft from France’s active fleet or disrupting deliveries to foreign buyers. Dassault Aviation, which manufactures the Rafale, has sold more than 500 jets worldwide.
Zelenskyy’s visit to Paris — his ninth since the war began — comes as Ukraine braces for another winter of Russian strikes aimed at its energy grid and civilian infrastructure. The country is aggressively pursuing new sources of air power. Just last month, Ukraine and Sweden signed an agreement to explore the purchase of up to 150 Gripen jets, and Ukraine has already received American F-16s and French Mirage fighters.
“I can tell you that this is a very serious fleet that we are building for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said. He noted that pilots trained on Mirage aircraft are expected to transition quickly to the Rafale.
France remains one of Ukraine’s major defense partners. Earlier Monday, Macron and Zelenskyy visited an air base outside Paris before traveling to Mont Valérien, headquarters of a multinational “coalition of the willing” preparing for potential deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
More than 30 nations are involved in planning, though Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected calls for a truce as his forces continue incremental advances.
Financial details of the new defense package remain unresolved. Kyiv is pushing for the use of frozen Russian assets to help pay for the weapons, but the European Union has yet to reach a consensus.
“I believe that in the end we’ll reach an agreement to push this topic to the end and be able to use Russian assets for the European defense package,” Zelenskyy said.
Before arriving in Paris, Zelenskyy stopped in Greece to sign an agreement for U.S. liquefied natural gas supplies. He is expected to travel to Spain on Tuesday.
