Ukraine to purchase 100 Rafale jets, Zelensky says after signing defense declaration with Macron
President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in the defense sector on Nov. 17, with Kyiv placing a "historic order" for advanced Rafale jets.
The declaration, signed during Zelensky's official trip to France, concerns "acquisition of defense equipment" by Ukraine, the Ukrainian Presidential Office said in a broadcast. The full content of the agreement has not been disclosed.
The Ukrainian president later told TF1-LCI news channel that Ukraine aims to purchase 100 Dassault-made Rafale fighters, a 4.5-generation multirole aircraft considered one of the most advanced European jets.
The defense agreement is set to run 10 years and provides for possible future contracts on the purchase of Rafale jets and associated weapons, as well as a new generation of SAMP/T air defenses, drones, and radar systems, Le Monde reported, citing the Elysee Palace.
Zelensky landed at the Villacoublay air base near Paris earlier on Nov. 17, where he was welcomed by Macron ahead of the signing ceremony. During his visit to the base, Zelensky inspected advanced French weaponry, including the Rafale jets and the SAMP/T air defense system.
Macron's office said last week that the two leaders are set to discuss bilateral cooperation in the "energy, economic, and defense fields," as well as progress in preparing security guarantees for Ukraine under the "Coalition of the Willing" framework.
Paris has been a key ally to Ukraine since the outbreak of the full-scale invasion in 2022, providing Mirage 2000 fighter jets, artillery, SCALP long-range missiles, and more.
Seeking to build a modern air force in the face of Russian aggression, Ukraine has previously received F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands and conluded an agreement to potentially acquire Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets in the coming years.
Speaking ahead of the visit on Nov. 16, Zelensky touted a "historic deal with France in Paris to strengthen our combat aviation and air defense."
The trip is part of Zelensky's tour among European allies as he seeks to bolster support for Kyiv in the face of the coming winter and Russian strikes against Ukraine's power grid.
The Ukrainian president visited Greece on Nov. 16, where he concluded a deal on a new route for gas supplies, among other deals on financing gas imports. Zelensky is also expected to visit Spain on Nov. 18 for talks on bolstering Ukraine's air defenses.
