In a significant move to counter Russian aggression, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has inked a major defence agreement with France for the purchase of 100 Rafale fighter jets.
The deal, signed at the Villacoublay air base near Paris on Monday 17th November 2025, is designed to create a formidable long-term air defence shield for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy declared the move would help forge "one of the greatest air defences in the world."
A Decade-Long Aviation Partnership
The letter of intent paves the way for a comprehensive 10-year aviation partnership between the two nations. While French officials did not specify if the Dassault-manufactured jets would be sourced from existing French military stocks or newly built, two officials confirmed to Reuters that the bulk of the aircraft would be delivered over the longer term.
This acquisition is a cornerstone of Ukraine's ambitious plan to expand its air force to a total of 250 warplanes, a fleet that will also include aircraft from the United States and Sweden.
Bolstering Defences Amid Escalating Attacks
President Zelenskyy's visit to France comes at a critical time, as Ukraine faces a surge in Russian drone and missile assaults. The Russian defence ministry has claimed the capture of five villages across the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, with at least six people reported killed in overnight attacks.
Beyond the fighter jets, the agreement opens the door for Ukraine to procure additional vital defence systems. This includes SAMP-T air defence systems, radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs. Future deals for surface-to-air missiles and anti-drone systems are also part of the broader framework, which may involve existing stock or next-generation orders.
France's Commitment to Ukrainian Defence
Ahead of the signing, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron stated the agreement's objective was to "put French excellence in the arms industry at the service of Ukraine's defence." The accord is intended to enable Ukraine to acquire the specific systems required to effectively respond to the ongoing Russian invasion.
These talks have been developing for several weeks, following President Macron's earlier pledge to supply Ukraine with more Mirage fighter jets and a new batch of surface-to-air missiles.
