Ukrainian pilots and mechanics are due to begin training in France in 2026 to operate French Rafale fighter jets. Once training is complete, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive the first four aircraft, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. In total, the plan is to purchase 16 Rafale fighters, fully armed.
Briefly about the main points
- Training for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics is set to begin in France in 2026.
- Once the preparations are complete, the first four Rafales are to be handed over to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
- Ukraine plans to purchase 16 French fighter jets, complete with armaments.
- France is to supply two SAMP/T systems this year.
- Deliveries of Aster 30 missiles are set to be brought forward to October.
The preparations will mark the first stage of the supply process
Zelensky said that the training of Ukrainian pilots and mechanics would take place in France later this year. According to him, the handover of the first four Rafale It is scheduled to take place after the completion of this training by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The President also announced the purchase of the first 16 Rafale aircraft for the Ukrainian air force, along with their armament. He did not provide any further details regarding the terms of the purchase or the duration of the training.
The deadlines set by Kyiv and Paris
Zelenskyy’s statement does not specify a particular date for the handover of the first four fighter jets. However, earlier Macron He said that, as part of the project to modernise Ukraine’s combat aviation, Ukraine would receive 16 Rafale aircraft, complete with the relevant weapon systems, in 2028–2029.
It therefore follows from the statements that staff training must take place before delivery. The parties did not explain separately in the reports whether this refers to the four aircraft within the announced batch of 16 Rafales, nor how the stated deadlines relate to this.
Air defence systems, missiles and radars
Separately, Zelenskyy stated that France would provide Ukraine with two SAMP/T systems to bolster its defences this year. He also said that France and Italy were to speed up the delivery of missiles Aster 30 October.
According to the President of Ukraine, the country will be the first to receive the new, enhanced French-Italian SAMP/T NG systems, which are capable of defending against ballistic missiles. Macron, for his part, announced the first batch of new-generation SAMP/T batteries, which will complement the systems and missiles expected in the coming weeks.
The French President also announced the supply of radar systems and additional missiles. The article does not specify the number of these systems.
The agreements also cover the production of weapons
Macron announced that Kyiv and Paris had approved a roadmap for bilateral cooperation, which provides, in particular, for the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defences.
According to him, the countries have agreed on the licensed production of the AASM, Aster 30 and SCALP. The article does not specify the timing of the start of such production, its scale or location.
