France to Deliver Rafale Jets and Grant SCALP, Aster-30 Missile Licenses to Ukraine

France will deliver Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine between 2028 and 2029, alongside official licenses to manufacture several types of French missiles.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the decision following a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on July 13, where international partners also agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities against ongoing Russian airstrikes, according to TSN.

As part of the agreement, France will provide Ukraine with production licenses for Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles used in SAMP/T air defense systems, AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs, and SCALP cruise missiles.

"This involves a project to acquire 16 Rafale aircraft and their accompanying weapons systems. The first flights could take place as early as 2028–2029, and personnel training will begin in the coming months," Macron emphasized.

Macron stated that this decision followed an earlier announcement by US President Donald Trump to grant licenses for manufacturing interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.

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War in Ukraine

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During a meeting of the Anti-Ballistic Coalition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine and its European partners were actively developing a joint anti-ballistic missile system named "Freyja," which could become operational within the next twelve months.

He emphasized that the ballistic threat would only intensify globally due to deepening military cooperation between Russia, Iran, and North Korea, warning that Russia was placing its final bet on ballistic missile strikes against Ukrainian cities and villages to break the people and deprive Ukraine of its ability to defend itself.

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