France Bets Big on Ukraine: Rafale Jets, SCALP Missiles, and In-Country Production

France unveiled a July 13-14, 2026 arms package for Ukraine that includes transferring Rafale fighters, SAMP/T air defenses, SCALP cruise missiles, and AASM Hammer bombs, plus licensing Ukraine to manufacture SCALP and Hammer missiles. The aid is financed from French stocks/production, EU mechanisms, and revenues from frozen Russian assets, and it cements co-development of the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile system with a range of European partners. France will deliver two more SAMP/T batteries by end-2026 and 4–8 upgraded NG units later; Rafale jets total 16 with pilot training to begin soon and potential for a much larger fleet in the long term. The deal marks a historic, enduring commitment by a NATO ally to arm and upgrade Ukraine, with the United States not participating in this package.