Ukraine is set to make one of the largest military aircraft acquisitions in modern European history, securing a long-term agreement with France to obtain 100 Dassault Rafale fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy announced the deal in Paris, describing it as a major step toward rebuilding Ukraine’s air power as the war enters its third year. The delivery will take place over the next decade, beginning with training and initial systems support.
The agreement extends far beyond aircraft. It includes air-defence systems, precision-guided munitions, drones and maintenance infrastructure that Ukraine has lacked since widespread damage to its air bases. For Kyiv, the package signals a shift from short-term emergency assistance toward long-range defence planning intended to restore full national capability.
For France, the deal positions Paris as a central defence provider in Europe and strengthens its role in shaping the continent’s security future. It also represents a strategic industrial win for French defence manufacturers, accelerating production lines and securing multi-year investment in the Rafale program at a moment of rising global demand.
The acquisition carries significant operational challenges. Ukrainian pilots will undergo extensive conversion training, runways will require upgrades and financing mechanisms must be finalized among European partners. Early estimates suggest a combination of government funding and international financial structures under discussion, including potential use of frozen Russian assets.
The agreement marks a turning point in Ukraine’s defence planning, setting the foundation for its post-war air strategy. Delivery milestones, funding terms and Moscow’s response will shape how quickly the aircraft begin transforming Ukraine’s air capabilities — and how the balance of power shifts across the region in the years ahead.
