Ukraine-France deal: 100 Rafale jets, advanced SAMP-T systems
A new agreement with Ukraine will integrate the countries' defense industries, French President Emmanuel Macron said as he and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a letter of intent on Monday for Kyiv to procure advanced military equipment from France's industrial base.
The document opens access to 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets by 2035 for Ukraine's combat aviation; eight SAMP-T air defense systems (each with six launchers); radars for air defenses; air-to-air missiles; and guided aerial bombs, Zelenskyy said during a joint news conference in Paris.
Macron said the deal includes next-generation SAMP-T systems, still in development but set to deploy first in Ukraine with upgraded capabilities.
The enhanced SAMP-T will counter Russian ballistic missiles, Zelenskyy added.
Ukraine is already receiving French Mirage jets, Macron said; the Rafales will arrive fully armed, with crew and pilot training programs.
"Pilots who have experience flying Mirage jets will not spend a year training on Rafale jets, but will transition very quickly," Zelenskyy said.
The pact also covers joint production of drones and aerial bombs.
Zelenskyy called the agreement historic, extending cooperation beyond military aid as Ukrainian Railways will buy 55 electric locomotives from French manufacturer Alstom.