Deal Overview
Ukraine and France finalized an agreement on 14 July 2026 for Ukraine to purchase an initial batch of 16 Rafale fighter jets, the first tranche of a fleet of 100 jets announced in November 2025.
Financing
The purchase will be financed through the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan programme, marking the first instance of an EU loan being used to fund such a defence acquisition.
Delivery and Training
Joint statements from the French and Ukrainian presidencies indicate that pilot and mechanic training could start in France as early as 2026, with the first four aircraft to be delivered after the completion of training.
Air‑Defence Systems
Ukraine also agreed to acquire four next‑generation SAMP/T‑NG air‑and‑missile defence systems, becoming the first country to deploy the Franco‑Italian system in combat. Two older versions of the SAMP/T system will be supplied to Ukraine pending delivery of the new units.
Licensed Production
France and Italy granted licences for production in Ukraine of Aster‑30 interceptor missiles, and France additionally approved local manufacturing of AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles.
Strategic Context
The agreements are part of a broader air‑defence initiative launched by Ukraine and several European allies to develop a lower‑cost anti‑ballistic‑missile capability, amid a recent increase in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukrainian territory.