Historic agreement between Ukraine and France: 100 Rafale fighter aircraft, SAMP/T air defense systems, missiles, and aerial bombs
Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
18 November, 2025, 9:59 AM EET
At the air base in the French city of Vélizy-Villacoublay, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of France Emmanuel Macron signed a Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Equipment for Ukraine. This historic agreement is not only a sign of support for our country, but also a step towards modernizing our Armed Forces.
The document provides for the potential procurement from France of 100 Rafale F4 fighter aircraft by 2035, eight SAMP/T air-defense systems comprising six launchers each, together with air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs. This strategic agreement will span ten years from the start of next year.
It also provides for the possibility of technology transfer and joint aircraft production with localization in Ukraine.
In addition, Ukraine and France will co-produce interceptor drones and develop critical technologies and components suitable for integration into Ukrainian unmanned systems. The implementation of joint projects between the Ukrainian and French defense industries will commence this year.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron also discussed the prospects of the SAFE program for joint weapons production, the potential allocation of part of its funds for the procurement of Rafale aircraft, the application of the ERA instrument to address defense requirements, and decisions concerning the use of frozen russian assets to support Ukraine's defense.
In addition, during the meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and France and representatives of defense companies, specific details of technological cooperation were discussed, and the course was set for jointly strengthening the industrial and technological potential of Ukraine and France.
France will also provide Ukraine with a new package of military assistance by the end of this year.
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