Ukraine has signed a historic military agreement with France for the purchase of up to 100 “Rafale” fighter jets, along with air-defense systems and drones. The news was confirmed by the Élysée Palace during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Paris.
At the Villacoublay Air Base, Zelensky signed a letter of intent with French President Emmanuel Macron for the acquisition of Rafale jets — one of the most advanced aircraft in France’s fleet.
Full details of the deal have not yet been made public, but the contract includes a broad support package featuring weapons systems, drones, and advanced air-defense capabilities.
This marks Zelensky’s ninth visit to Paris since Russia’s 2022 invasion — a clear indication of France’s increasingly central role in Western support for Ukraine, especially amid uncertainty over U.S. military aid.
Both leaders signed the agreement next to an armed Rafale equipped with AASM precision-guided bombs and a SCALP cruise missile — weapons France has already supplied to Ukraine. Also displayed at the ceremony were a SAMP/T interceptor system and a GF-300 radar, previously delivered to Kyiv.
The Rafale is a fourth-generation multirole fighter jet capable of conducting long-range strikes, precision attacks, and air-to-air combat within the same mission. It is often compared to the American F-16 for its tactical flexibility and versatility.
