Ukraine plans to buy about 100 Rafale fighter jets from France
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron (GettyImages)
Ukraine plans to purchase about a hundred French Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation, reports Le Figaro.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a declaration of intent on Monday in Paris to significantly strengthen Ukrainian aviation and air defense.
The document provides for possible future contracts for Ukraine to purchase about a hundred French Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation.
According to the Elysée Palace, the program is designed to last ten years and will include not only fighter jets but also other high-tech weapons, including the latest SAMP-T air defense systems, which are in the final stages of development, modern radar systems, and combat drones.
The French side emphasizes that the signed declaration is a step towards concluding specific contracts that will strengthen Ukraine's long-term defense capabilities.
About Rafale warplanes
French Rafale fighter jets are 4++ generation multi-role combat aircraft developed by Dassault Aviation. They are capable of performing a wide range of combat tasks: from gaining air superiority and interception to striking ground and sea targets, conducting reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence.
The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, including AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, and high maneuverability, making it one of the most effective modern fighters in Europe.
The Rafale is already in service with France and is also exported to India, Egypt, Qatar, Greece, and Croatia. The aircraft is compatible with a wide range of weapons, including Meteor and MICA air-to-air guided missiles, as well as high-precision bombs. The Rafale is valued for its versatility, reliability, and ability to operate effectively in conditions of intense air defense. For any country that acquires it, it is a significant strengthening of its air defense capabilities.
Ukraine already has French aircraft
On February 6, 2025, the French Minister of Defense announced the transfer of the first Mirage 2000 fighters to Ukraine. Along with the aircraft, pilots who had undergone several months of training in France also arrived in Ukraine.
In March, it became known that Ukrainian soldiers had used the Mirage for the first time to destroy air targets during a massive Russian attack.
In the summer, a French fighter jet crashed. It was reported that the pilot had managed to eject. An official statement said that a special commission had been appointed to determine the causes of the accident.
Find out more about these aircraft, their main characteristics, and advantages in our article.
