Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Emmanuel Macron signed a letter of intent in Paris enabling Kyiv to pursue Rafale F4 fighters and a broader air‑defence package.
- The Élysée did not disclose full terms, and officials stressed the document is not a sales contract, leaving financing, quantities, and delivery schedules to later agreements.
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine aims to receive up to 100 Rafales by 2035, with timelines shaped by production capacity and the training required to operate the advanced jets.
- The package framework covers SAMP/T next‑generation systems, air‑defence radars, air‑to‑air missiles and guided bombs, alongside cooperation to jointly develop interceptor drones.
- French and Ukrainian industry held meetings on drones as Paris and London push a ‘coalition of the willing’ headquarters for post‑ceasefire security, reflecting the deal’s long‑term focus.