Agreement on the Declaration of Intent Regarding France-Ukraine Defense Equipment Supply (2025)

Declaration of Intent on Defense Equipment Supply between France and Ukraine was signed on 17 November 2025 at the Villacoublay Air Base near Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This letter of intent establishes a long-term cooperation framework enabling Ukraine to procure fighter jets air defense systems radars and unmanned aerial vehicles from the French defense industry.

The agreement provides for the supply of 100 Rafale F4 fighter jets SAMP/T air defense systems radar equipment air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground munitions to Ukraine.

The French Presidency clarified that the document is not a sales contract but a long-term political and strategic commitment. The letter covers a time frame of approximately ten years with deliveries planned to be completed by 2035.

Signing of the Declaration of Intent on Defense Equipment Supply to Strengthen Ukraine’s Defense Capacity 17 November 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Ceremony of Signing

The agreement was signed on 17 November 2025 at the Villacoublay Air Base near Paris. The ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Elysée Palace in Paris prior to their meeting 17 November 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Zelenskiy arrived at Villacoublay Air Base in the morning and was greeted by Macron. The two leaders inspected French-made Rafale fighter jets and the SAMP/T air defense system before the ceremony. Later that day a joint press conference was held at the Elysée Palace.

The French Presidency stated that the letter of intent offers Ukraine a “decade-long cooperation framework” for equipment procurement from the French defense industry. In his speech at the ceremony Macron described the agreement as “the offering of France’s industrial and technological excellence to the service of Ukraine and by extension Europe.”

Zelenskiy after the ceremony characterized the agreement as “a truly historic moment for both countries.” French President Emmanuel Macron stated during the signing ceremony that this deal marks “a new step in France-Ukraine relations.” In the same speech Macron emphasized that Ukraine occupies “the front line of European defense.”

The agreement is also linked to security initiatives under the “Coalition of Willing” led by France and the United Kingdom. On the day of the signing Macron and Zelenskiy visited a facility in Mont Valérien west of Paris designated as the headquarters for forces under this multinational coalition.

The force in question is planned to be stationed in Ukraine or along its borders following a possible ceasefire. According to statements by France and the United Kingdom the purpose of this force is to ensure the continuity of long-term military and economic support to Ukraine.

This coalition involving around 30 countries and led by France to strengthen European defense initiatives is defined as part of a broader plan for international security guarantees to be implemented after a potential peace agreement with Russia.

In the joint press conference Macron stated “I hope peace will be achieved before 2027.” Zelenskiy described the letter of intent with France as “a historic agreement that will strengthen our air force and air defense.” This visit marked Zelenskiy’s ninth official visit to France since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Elysée Palace in Paris prior to their meeting 17 November 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Content of the Agreement

Rafale F4 Fighter Jets

The letter of intent provides for Ukraine to procure 100 French-made Rafale F4 fighter jets. Deliveries are planned to be completed over a ten-year period by 2035. According to French presidential sources these acquisitions will come from new production and not from direct transfers from the French Air Force inventory. The Rafale F4 manufactured by Dassault Aviation is a multirole fighter jet with a delta-wing design designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with a unit cost of approximately 100 million dollars.

According to French officials training a single Rafale pilot takes at least three years and France will accelerate production to ensure that its own operational fleet is not affected during the delivery process. At the ceremony Zelenskiy stated regarding the Rafale acquisition “This will become one of the strongest air defenses in the world.” Macron at the same ceremony said “We are planning 100 Rafales – this is a large number. It is necessary for the reorganization of the Ukrainian armed forces.” Ukrainian President Zelenskiy also indicated that future co-production of Rafale fighter jets could be considered.

SAMP/T Air Defense Systems

The agreement also covers the procurement of next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems alongside the Rafale jets. At the signing ceremony Zelenskiy announced that Ukraine plans to acquire eight SAMP/T batteries each consisting of six launch units. Macron stated that these systems will be “a new version of the SAMP/T currently under development and Ukraine will be the first country to receive this version.”

The SAMP/T system is a Franco-Italian joint development by MBDA and Thales. It employs Aster 30 missiles and has the capability to intercept ballistic missiles and long-range aerial targets. According to Kyiv Post data the estimated cost of a complete SAMP/T battery is around 500 million dollars and each Aster 30 missile costs approximately 2 million dollars. Zelenskiy described these systems as “about saving lives… this is very important.”