Zelenskyy visits Dassault Aviation as Ukraine explores options for new fighter jets
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is continuing to strengthen international defence cooperation, exploring new opportunities to modernise Ukraine’s air fleet and expand its partnership with France, according to a post shared by Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy met with Eric Trappier, president and chief executive of the aerospace company Dassault Aviation, and toured the firm’s production facilities.
During the visit, he reviewed assembly lines for military platforms, including multirole fighter aircraft.
Cooperation prospects
The two sides discussed options for deepening the partnership, including the potential localisation of certain production elements in Ukraine.
Particular attention was given to the technical capabilities of combat aircraft, especially the Rafale multirole fighter family.
Ukraine's aviation plans
Ukraine is expected to acquire Rafale fighters under the declaration signed on 17 November with President Emmanuel Macron.
The project is viewed as a key step toward strengthening Ukraine’s air power and modernising its air force.
France's offers under new declaration
France has outlined a plan to bolster Ukraine’s air power over the next decade through deliveries of new fighter jets and air-defence systems, though it remains unclear how the programme will be financed.
Under the new agreement with France, Ukraine expects a significant boost to its defence capabilities. As President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint briefing with Emmanuel Macron, the country is set to receive eight SAMP-T air-defence systems, one hundred Rafale F-4 multirole fighters, and a range of other advanced military equipment.
France is also considering the introduction of voluntary military service in response to rising security threats from Russia, an initiative President Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce soon.
Meanwhile, Russian military leadership continues to circulate claims of battlefield "successes", though statements made by the Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, contradict Ukrainian reporting and do not reflect the actual situation on the ground.
