France and Ukraine Sign Letter of Intent for Up to 100 Rafale Jets

Overview

• Paris and Kyiv signed a political letter of intent outlining a decade-long plan to equip Ukraine with up to 100 new-build Rafale fighters.
• The document is not a purchase contract and will require subsequent agreements on financing, pilot training, delivery schedules and integration.
• The package also covers SAMP/T air-defense batteries, drones and munitions including AASM Hammer, with short-term focus on countering missile and drone attacks.
• The signing at the Villacoublay air base came during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit, as Emmanuel Macron said planning for 100 Rafales is intended to regenerate Ukraine’s air force.
• EU funding options under discussion include using frozen Russian assets, direct subsidies or joint debt, though legal obstacles centered on Euroclear in Belgium remain unresolved, and the partners agreed to pursue joint interceptor-drone production.