Ukraine will obtain up to 100 French-made Rafale warplanes over the next 10 years under a deal signed on Monday, both countries said, as Kyiv seeks to bolster its defences against Russia’s invasion. Air defence systems, munitions and drones were also included in the letter of intent signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in front of one of the jets and both their flags. The announcement comes after a surge of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, and Moscow’s reports of ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region. The letter of intent was a political commitment, rather than a purchase deal, which would come later, the Elysee said. The aim was to finance it with EU programmes and the planned use of frozen Russian assets, which the EU still has to agree. The deal includes the acquisition of the new generation of the SAMP/T air-defence batteries, which is currently being developed, and AASM Hammer air-to-surface munitions.
