WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared at a French airbase with President Emmanuel Macron today to sign a letter of intent for Kyiv to potentially purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets.
The proposal, finalized with signatures and as a Rafale loomed in the background, was a surprise move, coming just weeks after Zelenskyy signed a similar letter of intent to buy scores of Swedish-made Gripen fighters.
The French president’s office released a video of the signing, describing the agreement as “historic,” though saying it doesn’t yet amount to a sales contract, according to AFP. It’s a proposal that could be realized “over a timeframe of about 10 years,” the president’s office reportedly said. The deal could also include air defense systems.
“This document enables Ukraine to procure military equipment from France’s defense industrial and technological base, including 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035 for Ukraine’s combat aviation, SAMP/T air-defense systems, air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “New aircraft, new reinforcements, new steps to strengthen our army and our country. I am deeply grateful to France, President [Macron], and all the French people.”
Macron reportedly called the agreement “huge” and said it’s something that’s “needed for the regeneration of the Ukrainian military.”
Ukraine has been keen to upgrade its aerial platforms, both in the form of urgent donations and purchases to aid in the fight against Russia and for a much longer-term modernization effort. The goal of the new letter, a French official told Le Monde, is to “enable [Kyiv] to acquire the systems it needs to respond to Russian aggression.”
The Rafale, made by Dassault Aviation, is France’s most advanced fighter jet — at least until (or if) the Future Combat Air System fighter comes online in the 2040. Ukraine’s air force is currently a mishmash of Soviet- and Western-designed fighters, including the MiG-29 and US-made F-16.
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Ukraine’s air force appeared to make a sly reference to today’s deal shortly before it was announced, releasing a video of a Ukrainian-flown, French-made Mirage 2000 fighter jet on a “combat mission” and saying it was “awaiting good news from France.”