Ukraine to Buy 100 Rafale Jets in Historic Deal With France—A New Era for Kyiv’s Air Force

The agreement, part of a new 10-year defense cooperation framework with Paris, signals a major leap in Ukraine’s long-term airpower ambitions.

The Rafale, designed and built by Dassault Aviation, is one of the most versatile and combat-proven aircraft in the world, capable of performing air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions in a single sortie.

If completed, the deal would make Ukraine one of the largest foreign operators of the French jet—an aircraft also used by France, India, Egypt, and Greece.

Zelenskyy’s statement was made during his visit to Paris, where he and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a strategic defense pact covering fighter aircraft, SAMP/T air-defense systems, and missile production partnerships. According to French officials, the new contract aims to “put France’s defense industry at the service of Ukraine’s protection” and anchor the country’s security for the next decade.

The Rafale legacy

Developed after France withdrew from the pan-European fighter initiative in the 1980s, the Rafale became the symbol of French strategic independence in aerospace technology.

It was conceived to replace multiple aircraft types across the French Air Force and Navy, from the Mirage F1 and Jaguar to the Super Étendard.

First flown in 1986, the Rafale features twin Snecma M88 engines, fly-by-wire controls, and a delta-canard aerodynamic design that gives it exceptional agility and stability.

Equipped with Thales’ RBE2 AESA radar and the SPECTRA electronic warfare suite, the aircraft can engage multiple aerial and ground targets while maintaining low radar visibility.

France’s emphasis on domestic development—with Dassault handling integration, Thales providing avionics, and Safran building the M88 engines—has made the Rafale one of the most advanced and fully national fighter programs in existence.

A strategic leap for Kyiv

Defense experts say Ukraine’s potential Rafale purchase will complement its incoming F-16s and could form the backbone of a future multi-national air fleet designed to defend the country for decades. The combination of US, Swedish, and French jets would give Kyiv a flexible, high-end air capability on par with NATO standards.

Zelenskyy said earlier that the new aircraft “will significantly strengthen our combat aviation and air-defense capabilities,” emphasizing that Ukraine’s missile and aviation programs are “growing stronger every month.”

If completed, the Rafale order would mark a major moment in Western support for Ukraine — not just for the ongoing war, but for the strategic rearmament of Europe’s eastern frontier.

Earlier, Ukraine received a formal commitment from Sweden for 150 new Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters in a deal worth $12–$15 billion.

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