The Ukraine announced plans to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets, a move considered crucial to strengthening its Air Force amid the ongoing conflict.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the intention after signing, alongside Emmanuel Macron, an agreement to purchase defense equipment. The negotiations revive discussions that began in 2021, when France considered offering the model to replace Ukraine’s aging MiG-29 jets.
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, has officially stated that it is ready to supply the aircraft, while Ukraine and France are also evaluating the modernization of the Mirage 2000 jets already sent to Kyiv.
The French company is experiencing a period of expansion, with firm orders for 233 units and plans to increase production to four aircraft per month. To meet the growing demand, it recently opened its first new assembly line since the 1970s.
The Rafale is almost entirely produced within France, involving Dassault, Thales, and Safran in the manufacturing of the platform, avionics, and engines. This industrial model guarantees the country technological independence and full control over a high-complexity strategic fighter — a feature that now also attracts the Ukrainian government in its pursuit of air superiority.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @Dassault_OnAir | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
