Overview
- The presidents signed a non-binding declaration of intention in Paris outlining plans for Ukraine to acquire roughly 100 new Rafale fighters with associated weapons, plus SAMP‑T next‑generation air‑defense systems, radars, drones and AASM Hammer guided bombs over about a decade.
- Emmanuel Macron said France will provide drones and guided bombs on a very short timeline and pledged near‑term production commitments extending into the next three years.
- The agreement sets direction rather than contracts, with funding mechanisms, binding procurement and precise delivery timetables still to be negotiated given long lead times for production and pilot training.
- Macron and Zelensky also visited the headquarters of the planned multinational Ukraine force, which the Élysée says is already operational and able to deploy the day after a ceasefire to support security guarantees.
- Ukrainian intelligence warns Russia fires 200–250 glide bombs daily and could produce up to 120,000 this year, intensifying Kyiv’s push for strengthened air defenses.