France and Ukraine sign letter of intent for up to 100 Rafale fighter jets
France and Ukraine have signed what both leaders called a historic defense agreement covering the procurement of 100 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, along with new air defense systems and drone capabilities.
The signing took place on November 17, 2025, at Villacoublay Air Base, where French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the tarmac.
Zelenskyy described the deal as historic and said it will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s combat aviation and air defense network as it continues to face sustained Russian missile and drone attacks.
Shortly after the ceremony, the Ukrainian president told TF1-LCI that Kyiv had placed an order for 100 Rafale fighters, the largest single combat aircraft acquisition in Ukraine’s history.
French industry presented the Rafale with its associated weapons, including the SCALP long-range cruise missile, the MICA short- and medium-range air-to-air missile family and the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.
The wider package includes the Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar from Thales, the SAMP/T NG air defense system, and a set of unmanned platforms. These include the X-Wing Interceptor drone from Alta Araes for counter-UAS missions and Delair’s DT-46 and UX-11 tactical UAVs for reconnaissance, mapping, and artillery correction.
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The Élysée stated that the goal is to place France’s defense industry capabilities at the service of Ukraine’s long-term security.
A deal that follows Ukraine’s Gripen framework
A Rafale and a Gripen flying in formation (Credit: U.S. Air Force photo)The Rafale deal follows Ukraine’s October 2025 letter of intent with Sweden to explore the acquisition of up to 150 Gripen E fighters. Together with more F-16s, the Rafale and Gripen form the basis of what Ukrainian officials describe as a three-platform strategy for a modern Western-equipped air force. Ukraine has previously indicated a long-term goal of a fleet of roughly 250 fighters.
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Financing for the Rafale package has not been disclosed, but Ukraine’s Gripen discussions offer a template. Sweden and Ukraine are examining a mix of Ukrainian funding, military assistance, export credits and potential use of frozen Russian assets. Sweden has also noted that deliveries would begin no sooner than three years after a contract is signed, a timeline likely similar for any Rafale procurement.
Dassault has said it is ready to supply Rafales to Ukraine, but deliveries remain a medium-term prospect. Production lines are heavily committed, and integrating a high-end platform requires extensive training, preparation for maintenance, and infrastructure development.
It is not yet clear whether some aircraft could come from existing French stocks. When he served as armed forces minister, France’s current prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, publicly rejected the idea, arguing that France’s own operational needs and limited fleet size made such transfers impossible.
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France and Ukraine have signed what both leaders called a historic defense agreement covering the procurement of 100…
The post France and Ukraine sign letter of intent for up to 100 Rafale fighter jets appeared first on AeroTime.
