---
title: "Ukraine receives first Rafale jets: details of major defense contract with France"
description: "Ukraine has officially ordered the first 16 Rafale fighters and approved a major roadmap with France. 🇺🇦🇫🇷 The parties agreed on the delivery of the newest SAMP/T NG air defense complexes and the launch of licensed production of Aster 30 and SCALP missiles on Ukrainian territory. The first aircraft and pilot training are scheduled for 2026. ✈️🚀"
date: 2026-07-14T14:38:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-receives-first-rafale-details-of-major-defense-contract-with-france
tags: [ukraine, france, rafale, emmanuel-macron, vladimir-zevensky]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine receives first Rafale jets: details of major defense contract with France

![French Air Force Dassault Rafale fighter jet in flight, key component of the defense contract for Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/14/ukraina-poluchila-pervye-rafale-detal-kontrakta/ukraina-poluchila-pervye-rafale-detal-kontrakta-1.webp)

Ukraine has officially taken the first step towards a major rearmament of its air force. France has confirmed the order for Rafale fighters and the launch of new defense projects. This was announced in a joint declaration by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The parties approved a detailed roadmap for military-technical cooperation. The document provides not only for direct equipment deliveries but also for the launch of licensed production of French weaponry on Ukrainian territory.

### Delivery of Rafale fighters

A key point of the agreement was the official formalization of an order for the first 16 Rafale fighters. This is the first tranche of a total batch of 100 aircraft, the acquisition of which the parties agreed upon back in November 2025.

The preparation process for operation has already been launched. Training for Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel could begin as early as 2026. Immediately after the completion of training, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive the first four aircraft.

France will transfer the fighters along with a wide package of armaments. The delivery package will include:

    - MICA and METEOR air-to-air missiles;

    - AASM smart air bombs;

    - Laser-guided anti-drone missiles;

    - Other air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions.

In addition, by the end of 2026, France will allow the deployment of licensed production of AASM air bombs and SCALP cruise missiles in Ukraine.

### Strengthening the Air Defense System

A separate block of the declaration is dedicated to the creation of a powerful air and missile defense system. Ukraine has ordered four of the newest Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG complexes. Kyiv will become the first state to deploy these systems in real combat conditions.

The deployment plan for the system includes several stages:

    - By the end of 2026, France will deploy the GF300 radar station in Ukraine as the first component of the new air defense system.

    - By the time of the delivery of the SAMP/T NG complexes, Paris will transfer two such complexes to Ukraine for temporary use.

    - By the end of 2027, Ukraine is to receive five GM400 radars.

    - France and Italy will accelerate the transfer of Aster 30 missiles by October 2026.

An important aspect of the agreement was the permission for the licensed production of Aster 30 missiles directly in Ukraine. Separately, Paris will support the development of Ukrainian anti-ballistic interceptor missiles, in particular the FREYJA project, with the participation of French defense companies.

This step logically continues the creation of an anti-ballistic coalition, which was formed on July 13 during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris. Ukraine joined the coalition. Ten European countries will jointly work on the development of missile defense systems and the creation of new means for intercepting ballistic missiles.