French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky have endorsed a letter of intent that would allow Ukraine to pursue the purchase of up to 100 Rafale fighter aircraft and additional French-made air-defence equipment, according to the French presidency.
Offering a notable boost to Kyiv, the agreement outlines prospective future contracts for 100 Rafale jets “with their associated weapons,” along with the next-generation SAMP-T air-defence system under development, plus radar units and drones, reports RTE.
The letter of intent does not constitute a binding sales contract, but it is expected to be carried out “over a timeframe of about 10 years”, the French presidency said.
Mr Zelensky’s visit to Paris is part of a brief tour of Western partners during which he concluded an energy pact with Greece yesterday, and he is due to continue on to Spain tomorrow, reports RTE.
The Ukrainian leader and President Macron began their day at the Villacoublay air base near Paris, where they attended a presentation of France’s Rafale fighter jet.
Only last month, Mr Zelensky signed a similar statement of intent that could enable Ukraine to acquire as many as 150 Swedish Gripen aircraft, reports RTE.
Ukraine already operates one of the current SAMP-T systems, capable of intercepting fighter jets, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles, and a more advanced version is expected to be ready from 2027.
France has further committed to providing more Aster missiles, which can be deployed from the SAMP-T platform or launched from aircraft, to support Ukraine’s defences, reports RTE.
“We are also working on deliveries of other advanced air-defence systems and strengthening our aviation – a major deal with France is in preparation and will be finalised soon – a historic agreement,” Mr Zelensky said in a video released on Friday, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky and Mr Macron are also set to take part in a forum at the Élysée Palace dedicated to joint drone production.
Ukraine has stated that it intends to utilise more than 4.5 million drones this year, both for frontline operations and to counter Russian unmanned aircraft, reports RTE.
The two presidents will additionally visit the headquarters of a Ukrainian multinational force that France and Britain are preparing in case an international deployment is required following any ceasefire.
Based at Mont Valérien, west of Paris, the headquarters hosts officers from the “coalition of the willing” formed by France and Britain, with 34 nations and Ukraine already offering to participate, reports RTE.
Mr Zelensky’s ninth trip to France since Russia’s 2022 invasion comes as his administration contends with a new corruption scandal, this time centred on state-run energy companies.
France’s Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad said in a television interview on Saturday that governments must remain “extraordinarily vigilant” regarding corruption as Ukraine advances its effort to join the European Union, reports RTE.
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