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Ukraine to Receive 100 Rafale Fighter Jets from France Under New Long-Term Defense Plan
Ukraine will receive 100 newly manufactured Rafale fighter jets from France under a long-term defense plan, President Zelensky announced in Paris. The agreement aims to rebuild Ukraine’s air force as Russian attacks intensify. The deal also includes air-defense systems, missiles, and drones, with financing expected through EU programs. Training, industrial cooperation, and long-term security commitments remain central to the plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with France to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets over the next decade. The move comes as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its long-term military capabilities amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Zelensky arrived in Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron at a time when Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine have intensified in recent weeks, and Moscow has reported ground gains in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.
Standing alongside Macron at the Villacoublay military air base, in front of a Rafale jet and the French and Ukrainian flags, Zelensky said, “This will be the largest air defense system—one of the strongest in the world.”
The Élysée confirmed the number of Rafale jets and said the agreement—which includes Dassault Aviation, air-defense systems, bombs and drones—marks the start of deliveries of newly manufactured aircraft rather than transfers from existing French stocks.
“We are planning for Rafales—100 Rafales. This is huge,” Macron told LCI television. “It is exactly what Ukraine needs to rebuild its air force.” He added that the deal also represents a major boost for France and Dassault.
Dassault shares surged on the news, rising 7.4% by 11:37 GMT.
The Élysée clarified that the letter of intent is a political commitment rather than a finalized purchase contract. It aims to secure financing through EU mechanisms and potentially through the planned use of frozen Russian assets—something the EU has not yet agreed upon.
France Looks to Strengthen Ukraine’s Long-Term Defense
Operating advanced Rafale jets will take time, given the demanding training required for pilots.
For weeks, France has been debating how to increase military assistance for Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities, even as Macron’s government navigates political and budgetary uncertainty that could limit the scale of support.
Macron had previously pledged additional Mirage fighter jets—on top of the initial offer of six—and a new batch of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s SAMP/T air-defense batteries, jointly built by MBDA.
France and the United Kingdom have also pushed for the formation of a coalition of around 30 countries willing to send troops or resources to Ukraine or its western borders once a peace agreement with Russia is eventually reached.
A key objective is to guarantee Ukraine long-term military and economic backing so its armed forces remain strong enough to deter any future Russian aggression.
Before signing the letter of intent, Zelensky attended a briefing with major defense manufacturers, including Dassault. Later in the day, a separate forum will bring together French and Ukrainian drone-sector companies to explore ways to deepen collaboration.
