AL BAWABA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a “declaration of intent” at an airbase near Paris on Monday, paving the way for Ukraine to purchase up to 100 French Rafale fighter jets and new-generation air defense systems—an acquisition that would mark a first for Kyiv.
Macron received his Ukrainian counterpart at the Villacoublay air base, where French manufacturers presented the Ukrainian delegation—at war with Russia since 2022—with the Rafale fighter jet and its weapons systems, the new-generation SAMP/T air defense system, and several drone platforms.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a “declaration of intent” at an airbase near Paris on Monday. (AFP)
The Élysée Palace said the agreement, which spans “a horizon of nearly ten years,” paves the way for future contracts enabling Ukraine to acquire new French defense equipment. This includes “around 100 Rafale aircraft with their weapons systems,” as well as additional capabilities such as the new-generation SAMP/T air defense system currently in development, radar systems, and drones.
Notably, Last month, the Ukrainian president signed a letter of intent to purchase between 100 and 150 Swedish Gripen fighter jets.
