Ukraine Signs Deal to Purchase Up to 100 Rafale Fighter Jets From France Amid Escalating Conflict

Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets, in a move aimed at reinforcing its air defense and combat capabilities as Russian strikes intensify. The document was signed on Monday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron during Zelenskyy’s latest visit to Paris, marking a major step in deepening defense cooperation between the two nations.

According to a statement from the French president’s office, the agreement outlines Ukraine’s interest in acquiring Rafale multirole combat aircraft and other defense equipment from France, though specific terms and delivery timelines have not been disclosed. The deal represents one of the largest potential military procurements for Ukraine since the onset of the war, signaling Kyiv’s strategic pivot toward Western-made aircraft to modernize its air force.

Zelenskyy’s Paris visit—his ninth since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022—comes as the country faces yet another winter of relentless Russian attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Earlier in the day, Macron and Zelenskyy toured a French air base on the outskirts of Paris, where they inspected the Rafale jets and discussed defense collaboration. The two leaders later met with representatives from the “coalition of the willing,” a multinational peacekeeping framework being shaped by France, the United Kingdom, and over 30 allied nations to support post-war stabilization efforts in Ukraine.

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On social media, Zelenskyy described the deal as a “historic moment” in Ukraine–France relations. “This agreement will strengthen our combat aviation and air defense, ensuring a safer future for our nation,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement follows similar defense cooperation initiatives, including Kyiv’s recent agreement with Sweden to explore the purchase of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets and deliveries of American F-16s and French Mirage aircraft.

France’s latest partnership underscores its growing influence in European security affairs and its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s long-term defense modernization. Military analysts say the Rafale acquisition, if finalized, would significantly enhance Ukraine’s deterrence capabilities, offering advanced radar, electronic warfare, and long-range strike potential against Russian aircraft. The agreement also highlights Kyiv’s broader efforts to diversify its defense partnerships while reducing dependence on older Soviet-era aircraft.

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