Author
Front News Georgia
Ukraine has officially ordered its first 16 Rafale fighter jets from France as part of a broader defence cooperation agreement aimed at modernising the country's air force and strengthening its air and missile defence capabilities, according to a joint declaration by presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron.
The declaration outlines a roadmap for military-technical cooperation that includes the delivery of Rafale fighter aircraft, advanced air and missile defence systems and the launch of licensed production of French weapons in Ukraine.
The initial order covers 16 Rafale aircraft, the first tranche of what the two countries agreed in principle in November 2025 would be a significantly larger acquisition.
Training for Ukrainian pilots and ground crews is expected to begin later in 2026. Once the training programme is completed, Ukraine is scheduled to receive the first four aircraft.
France will also supply a range of air-launched weapons for the Rafale fleet, including MICA and Meteor air-to-air missiles, AASM precision-guided bombs, laser-guided anti-drone missiles and other air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.
Under the agreement, France is expected to authorise licensed production of AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles in Ukraine by the end of 2026.
The declaration also includes measures to strengthen Ukraine's integrated air and missile defence.
Ukraine has placed an order for four next-generation SAMP/T NG air defence systems and is expected to become the first country to deploy the system in combat, according to the declaration.
France also plans to deploy a GF300 radar in Ukraine by the end of 2026 as the first component of the new air defence architecture. Pending delivery of the SAMP/T NG systems, Paris will provide Ukraine with two existing SAMP/T batteries for interim use.
In addition, France and Italy will permit licensed production of Aster 30 interceptor missiles in Ukraine. France also pledged to support the development of Ukraine's FREYJA anti-ballistic missile interceptor programme with the participation of French defence companies.
