At the conclusion of the "coalition of the willing" summit held Monday in Paris, Emmanuel Macron announced the signing of a roadmap providing for the delivery of 16 Rafale aircraft to Ukraine, with the first aircraft expected in Ukrainian skies as early as 2028-2029.
Thirty-seven countries met in Paris on Monday, July 13, to provide military support to Ukraine. Following the summit, Emmanuel Macron addressed the gathering alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to outline the Franco-Ukrainian commitments.
France and Ukraine have agreed on a roadmap for the acquisition of 16 Rafale fighter jets and their armaments. The first aircraft are expected to "fly in Ukrainian airspace as early as 2028-2029," according to the French president.
The agreement goes beyond just fighter jets. Kyiv will receive "an initial series of next-generation SAMP/T batteries" to bolster its air defenses, supplementing systems already scheduled for delivery "in the coming weeks." Radars will also be supplied, and licensed production in Ukraine has been agreed upon for AASM bombs, Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, and Scalp cruise missiles.
Macron also announced the upcoming launch of military exercises for the multinational force intended to be deployed in Ukraine once the conflict is over. "They will be deployed in countries neighboring Ukraine to validate our deployment plans and demonstrate that we are ready, determined, and credible," he said, specifying that these maneuvers would take place in the "coming months."
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