Ukraine will obtain up to 100 French-made Rafale warplanes over the next 10 years under a deal signed on Monday (17 November) with France, both countries said, as Kyiv seeks to bolster its defences against Russia's invasion.
The deal, which also includes Air defence systems, munitions and drones, forms part of a broader defence cooperation agreement signed with President Macron.
Zelenskyy said the agreement is aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s military and will come into effect in 2026, lasting for ten years. Under the deal, Ukraine will also receive “very powerful” French radars and eight SAMP/T air defence systems.
"It will be the greatest air defence, one of the greatest in the world," Zelenskyy told reporters at the event at France's Villacoublay military airport.
The announcement comes after a surge of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, and Moscow's reports of ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.
The letter of intent was a political commitment, rather than a purchase deal, which would come later, the Elysee said. The aim was to finance it with European Union programmes and the planned use of frozen Russian assets, which the EU still has to agree.
The Ukrainian president emphasised that France’s move is a significant step towards ensuring real and guaranteed security in Europe.
He added that he and Macron had also met with defence companies to discuss specific aspects of technological cooperation.
Zelenskyy also thanked Macron for a new defence package due at the end of the year, which he said would further strengthen Ukraine.
During the visit, Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia signed an agreement with French manufacturer Alstom SA to purchase 55 new electric locomotives to support Ukraine’s logistics.
Zelenskyy visited France following a trip to Athens, Greece, and is scheduled to travel to Spain on Tuesday.
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Storm Leonardo has swept across the Iberian Peninsula, causing widespread flooding, landslides and transport disruption in Portugal and Spain, leaving at least one person dead and forcing thousands to evacuate as authorities issued urgent warnings.
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