#France

As Ukraine outlines plans to acquire up to 100 French Rafale fighter jets, the long-term costs could stretch well beyond the estimated €22.5 billion price tag. With another major jet deal already under discussion with Sweden, what will it really take for Kyiv to rebuild its air force for the next 40 years?

A newly released video from the Ukrainian Air Force shows a Mirage 2000 on patrol, bearing six cruise missile kill markings—underscoring its active role in defending Ukrainian skies as Kyiv and Paris deepen their military partnership.

Ukraine and France have signed a long-term defense cooperation pact, under which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Emmanuel Macron agreed to deepen military coordination for the next decade. Among the key elements of the agreement is the potential transfer of French Rafale multirole fighter jets—a type Ukraine has never operated before.

In what could become one of Europe’s largest modern fighter jet procurements, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to purchase 100 French-made Dassault Rafale multirole jets, Le Figaro reported on November 17, citing France’s Élysée Palace.