France to supply 100 Rafale jets to Ukraine under new defense deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday that Ukraine has placed an order for 100 Dassault Rafale fighter jets under a new defense cooperation agreement signed with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Zelenskyy called the purchase “historic,” saying the declaration of intent was signed at the Velizy-Villacoublay airbase near Paris. The long-term agreement, set to run for 10 years starting in 2026, aims to expand defense collaboration and support Kyiv’s military capabilities.

In addition to the Rafale jets, Ukraine will receive several “very powerful” French radar systems and eight SAMP/T air defense systems, each equipped with six launchers. Zelenskyy emphasized that France’s support represents a major step toward strengthening Europe’s security.

During the visit, Zelenskyy and Macron also met with French defense firms to discuss further technological cooperation. Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, reached a deal with French manufacturer Alstom to purchase 55 electric locomotives to improve Ukraine’s logistics network.

He also thanked Macron for a new defense assistance package expected by the end of the year, though he provided no details.

Zelenskyy arrived in France after a stop in Athens, where Ukrainian and Greek energy companies signed a letter of intent for U.S. LNG supplies this winter. He is scheduled to visit Spain next.