In a significant agreement aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities against ongoing Russian aggression, France is set to provide up to 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets and advanced air defense systems to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the accord as “historic” after formalizing a letter of intent with French President Emmanuel Macron at an air base near Paris.
Deliveries of the Rafale F4 aircraft are slated for completion by 2035, with joint production of interceptor drones scheduled to commence this year.
While financial specifics remain under development, reports indicate that France intends to leverage EU funding mechanisms and explore the use of frozen Russian assets – a contentious proposal that has caused divisions within the 27-member EU.
“This is a strategic agreement which will last for 10 years starting from the next year,” President Zelensky stated during a joint briefing with President Macron on Monday.
The agreement includes the provision of “very strong French radars,” eight air defense systems, and other sophisticated weaponry, according to Zelensky.
President Zelensky emphasized the critical importance of these advanced systems, noting that their deployment “means protecting someone’s life… this is very important”.
Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent months, targeting vital energy and rail infrastructure and resulting in widespread power outages across the nation.
These strikes have resulted in dozens of civilian fatalities, acts that Kyiv and its Western allies have condemned as war crimes. In the most recent overnight Russian missile attack, three individuals were killed and 15 injured in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Balakliya, local officials reported.
Speaking alongside President Zelensky, President Macron affirmed, “We’re planning Rafales, 100 Rafales – that’s huge. That’s what’s needed for the regeneration of the Ukrainian military”.
The French President added that his objective was to support Ukraine in preparing for future challenges.
The Rafale fighter jets are viewed as essential for defending Ukrainian airspace, given the country’s limited ability to prevent long-range air strikes on its border towns and cities.
“The Russians are using 6000 glide bombs per month,” Serhiy Kuzhan, a Ukrainian defense analyst, told the BBC. “It would be important to have a French air to air system, with a 200km range, because Russians have their own system with a range of 230km.”
While the agreement between Kyiv and Paris represents a significant step, Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) cautions that “the difference they’ll make will depend on the timeframe and the missiles that come with them”.
This is characterized as a long-term political understanding rather than a definitive purchase order, leading to limited expectations of a dramatic shift in the dynamics of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The effectiveness of Western military aid is contingent upon comprehensive training and logistical support. Equipment ranging from German-made Leopard 2 tanks to American F-16 fighter jets requires extensive training, specialized support crews, and a substantial supply of spare parts.
The provision of Rafales introduces additional complexities concerning financing. France is anticipated to allocate funds from its existing contributions to Kyiv and explore joint EU borrowing mechanisms to facilitate the deal.
However, sources within EU circles in Brussels have privately acknowledged growing concerns about diminishing financial resources.
While the EU has committed to supporting Ukraine’s struggling economy for the next two years, there is less agreement on the possibility of unfreezing €140 billion ($162 billion; £123 billion) in frozen Russian assets to provide financial and military support to Ukraine.
These proposals are currently considered illegal under international law, and some member states are apprehensive about the potential obligation to reimburse Russia after the conclusion of the conflict.
The Ukrainian air force is already utilizing French Mirage warplanes along with US-made F-16s. Kyiv has also reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.
Following his visit to France, President Zelensky will travel to Spain to seek further military and other forms of support for Ukraine.
Over the weekend, he secured a gas agreement with Greece. Critical supplies of US liquefied natural gas are projected to commence flowing into Ukraine this winter via a pipeline traversing the Balkans.
Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow currently controls roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, with Russian forces making gradual advances along the expansive front line, despite reports of substantial combat casualties.
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Vital supplies are due to start flowing from the Balkans as energy infrastructure faces sustained Russian attack.
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