France and Ukraine have taken another step toward expanding their military cooperation by confirming an agreement for the delivery of the first batch of 16 Rafale fighter jets.
The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. According to the announced schedule, the first aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2029, while the training of Ukrainian pilots and support crews will begin in the coming months.
In addition to the sale of the fighter jets, Paris has authorized Ukraine to manufacture French weapons on its own territory, including SCALP cruise missiles, AASM Hammer guided bombs and Aster-30 interceptor missiles. The measure represents a shift in France’s strategy for supporting Kyiv, allowing Ukraine’s defense industry to manufacture these systems locally and reducing its dependence on shipments from France.
The initial batch of 16 Rafale jets is part of a broader plan agreed upon by the two countries in 2025, which includes the possibility of acquiring up to 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets by 2035. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities are also discussing with manufacturer Dassault Aviation the possibility of establishing the production of components or aircraft on Ukrainian territory. In March of this year, the Kyiv government had already begun preparations to make advance payments for the first French Rafale jets and Swedish Gripen fighters.
During the meeting in Paris, Ukraine and nine other European countries also launched the Integrated Ballistic Missile Defense Coalition, an initiative aimed at developing a joint defense architecture against ballistic threats. The project includes the development of the Freyja system, which is expected to enter service within the next 12 months, strengthening European efforts to expand Ukraine’s air defense capabilities amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.
❗️Ukraine will receive French Rafale fighter jets in 2028–2029, – Macron.
In addition, Ukraine has received licenses for the production of Aster-30 surface-to-air missiles for the SAMP/T air defence system, AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs, and SCALP cruise missiles. pic.twitter.com/ATmlDTNH83
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) July 13, 2026
+ Ukraine says it shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter in the eastern sector
Source and images: Militarnyi | X @Armee_de_lair | MBDA | Safran | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
