Ukraine is set to receive up to 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets and advanced air defence systems from France, following a landmark agreement signed near Paris on Monday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the move as “historic,” saying it would significantly bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities from Russian attacks.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the pledge as “huge,” calling the Rafales essential for rebuilding Ukraine’s air power. The long-term deal will span ten years starting in 2026, with deliveries of the fighter jets expected to be completed by 2035.
Ukraine will also benefit from joint production of interceptor drones beginning later this year. The package includes powerful French radars and eight air defence systems, which Kyiv says are vital as Russia intensifies missile and drone strikes.
The Russian military has been deploying around 6,000 glide bombs per month, prompting Ukrainian defence analysts to stress the importance of long-range air-to-air systems. The Rafale F4 variant, equipped with missiles capable of reaching up to 200km, is expected to help counter such threats.
However, experts caution that the deal represents a political commitment rather than an immediate battlefield shift. Analysts at the Royal United Services Institute noted that the impact will depend heavily on the delivery timeline, pilot training and long-term logistics.
Questions also remain over financing. France is expected to draw from its own defence budget, seek EU funding and explore the controversial use of frozen Russian assets—an issue that has divided EU states and remains constrained by international law.
Despite these challenges, the agreement marks one of the largest European military support packages for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Kyiv already operates Mirage jets and F-16s, and has a provisional deal to receive Sweden’s Gripen aircraft, signalling a broad modernisation of its air fleet.
After signing the pact, Zelensky travelled to Spain for further diplomatic engagements. His European tour follows a gas supply agreement with Greece, ensuring US liquefied natural gas reaches Ukraine through Balkan pipelines this winter.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their slow advance along the front line, with massive damage reported across Ukrainian infrastructure. An overnight strike on Balakliya killed three civilians and injured 15, underscoring Kyiv’s urgent need for stronger air protection.
The new French commitment aims to address that need—offering Ukraine a long-term pathway toward enhanced air superiority.