Ukraine and France plot expansion of air power with 16 Rafale jets and new defenses
TL;DR
Ukraine and France agreed on a plan to acquire 16 Rafale fighters and the first SAMP/T NG air-defense batteries, with licensing to produce AASM glide bombs, Aster 30 interceptors, and SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles in Ukraine; the first jets could fly around 2028–2029 and pilot training will begin soon, as part of a broader Freyja anti-ballistic defense coalition.
- Ukraine agrees on plan to acquire 16 Rafale jets, France’s Macron says Defense News
- 9 nations back Ukraine’s Patriot alternative, Freyja — and want it flying in a year Defense News
- Ukraine to become first recipient of SAMP/T NG anti-ballistic systems – Zelenskyy Українська правда
- Leaders give press conference after ‘coalition of the willing’ meeting in Paris – as it happened The Guardian
- Ukraine to buy Rafale jets, air defence systems under France deal Reuters
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