Copyright defence-blog
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is actively negotiating with France over a possible acquisition of Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Speaking with reporters, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is pursuing parallel talks with three nations—Sweden, France, and the United States—regarding the future of its tactical aviation fleet. “I am conducting three parallel conversations regarding aircraft—with the Swedes, with the French, and with the Americans as well,” Zelenskyy said, as quoted by the Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform. He reiterated Ukraine’s focus on three primary platforms for modernizing its Air Force: the U.S.-made F-16, Sweden’s Gripen, and France’s Rafale. Although France has so far committed to transferring Mirage 2000 fighter jets, Rafale deliveries have not been authorized. In October 2024, Le Monde reported that Élysée officials once raised the possibility of transferring Rafales from the French Air and Space Force to Ukraine. However, that proposal was blocked by the French defense minister. The Rafale, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, is France’s most advanced multi-role fighter jet. As of now, no official approval has been given for its transfer to Ukraine, and the French Armed Forces have maintained that their own fleet remains a priority. Meanwhile, the Mirage 2000—a fourth-generation fighter with air-to-air and limited air-to-ground capabilities—has become the center of current French support. Zelenskyy confirmed that a new batch of Mirage 2000 fighters is expected to arrive, alongside additional air defense missiles. In his evening video address, he added that both France and the United Kingdom continue to support Ukraine with new military packages. “There is a decision regarding additional Mirage fighters for Ukraine and air defense missiles,” Zelenskyy said. “Britain will also continue to help us with air defense, including missiles and the production of drone interceptors.” The latest pledge of Mirage 2000s adds to a growing list of fighter deliveries intended to strengthen Ukraine’s long-term defense capability. According to Ukrainian officials, Kyiv is positioning the Mirage aircraft as an interim solution while waiting for F-16s and potentially other Western platforms to arrive in greater numbers. Ukraine’s Air Force is undergoing a major transition, shifting away from Soviet-era aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27, which continue to operate under increasingly difficult maintenance conditions due to limited spare parts and aging systems.
