 "French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrive for signing an agreement at the Villacoublay air base near Paris, France, November 17, 2025. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS")
French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday (November 17, 2025) signed a letter of intent for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets and a range of French air defence systems, news agency Reuters reported citing the French presidency.
The agreement, framed as a major boost for Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia, outlines potential future contracts for the purchase of 100 Rafale jets “with their associated weapons,” as well as the next-generation SAMP-T air-defence system currently under development, radar systems and drones.
The letter of intent is not a formal purchase contract. According to the French presidency, its implementation is expected “over a timeframe of about 10 years.”
Zelensky’s Paris visit focuses on long-term defence build-up
Zelenskiy said on Monday that he had signed a deal with France to obtain 100 Rafale warplanes as part of efforts to bolster Ukraine’s long-term military capability against Russia. He is in Paris at a time when Russian missile and drone attacks have intensified, and Moscow claims to have made gains in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.
Macron’s office said the document signed on Monday indicates Ukraine is considering the purchase of French defence equipment, including Rafales, though no further details were provided.
The trip marks Zelenskyy’s ninth visit to Paris since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. His talks have centred on strengthening Ukraine’s defences as the country braces for another winter of Russian strikes on its energy grid and other critical infrastructure.
Leaders visit air base, discuss ‘coalition of the willing’
Earlier in the day, Macron and Zelenskyy visited an air base on the outskirts of Paris before heading to the headquarters of a multinational force — the so-called “coalition of the willing” — that France and Britain are assembling with more than 30 countries to help police any future ceasefire in Ukraine.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy wrote on X that he looked forward to a “historic deal with France in Paris to strengthen our combat aviation and air defense.”
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View AllZelenskyy later told French broadcaster TF1/LCI that he had ordered 100 Rafale fighter jets, according to the channel. The Élysée confirmed the number but did not specify whether the aircraft would come from existing French stocks or new production.
TV footage showed Macron and Zelenskyy signing the letter of intent in front of a Rafale jet, flanked by French and Ukrainian flags, at Villacoublay military airport.
“A historic agreement has also been prepared with France — there will be a significant strengthening of our combat aviation, air defence, and other defence capabilities. According to the visit schedule, this will take place on Monday,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
How France could strengthen Ukraine’s air defences
Paris has been examining for weeks how it can reinforce Ukraine’s air defences, even as Macron’s government faces political and financial uncertainty that may limit how far France can go.
Last month, Macron pledged to supply more Mirage fighter jets, following an earlier pledge of six, along with another batch of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles — produced by European group MBDA — for Ukraine’s SAMP/T batteries.
Two people briefed on the talks told Reuters that supplying Rafale multirole jets, built by Dassault, would form part of a 10-year strategic aviation agreement. Some jets could come directly from French stocks, while most would be delivered later as part of Ukraine’s plan to expand its fleet to 250 warplanes, including U.S. F-16s and Sweden’s Gripen, the sources said.
They noted that operating advanced aircraft like the Rafale would require substantial pilot training.
More air-defence systems likely under discussion
The same sources said Zelenskyy’s visit could also pave the way for agreements on additional SAMP/T air-defence systems — either from current French inventories or via long-term next-generation orders, including missiles and anti-drone systems. How the deals would be financed remains unclear.
In a briefing ahead of the visit, Macron’s office said the objective was to “put French excellence in the arms industry at the service of Ukraine’s defence” and ensure Kyiv can acquire the systems it needs to counter Russian aggression.
Defence industry meetings and wider coalition support
Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend a presentation by defence manufacturers, including Dassault, on Monday morning before signing the letter of intent and contracts later in the day, according to a French presidency programme that offered no specifics.
A separate forum in the afternoon will bring together French and Ukrainian drone-sector companies to explore new cooperation.
France and Britain are also pushing for the creation of a coalition of around 30 nations willing to deploy troops and assets to Ukraine or its western borders once a peace deal is reached. The goal is to ensure Ukraine retains strong, long-term military and economic backing to deter future Russian aggression.