France, Ukraine seal deal for 16 Rafale fighters and SAMP/T air‑defence

President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a roadmap in Paris on 13 July 2026 under which Kyiv will acquire 16 Dassault Rafale combat jets, with the first aircraft expected to enter service in 2028‑2029. The agreement also includes a first batch of next‑generation SAMP/T air‑defence batteries, radars and licences for Ukraine to produce AASM precision‑guided bombs, Aster‑30 surface‑to‑air missiles and SCALP cruise missiles.

Nine European states – Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom – joined Ukraine in a new “anti‑ballistic missile alliance”. The coalition will pool industrial, research and operational expertise to develop a shared European capability, centred on the Freya anti‑ballistic missile project, and will support joint training exercises in neighbouring countries after a cease‑fire.

France also announced that a multinational force will train in the coming months and that the upcoming French national military parade on 14 July will feature troops from the coalition, underscoring the political commitment to Ukraine’s defence.