France Grants Ukraine License to Produce French Missiles and Announces 16 Rafale Jets

President Emmanuel Macron announced a long-term cooperation package with Ukraine that expands bilateral defense ties first outlined in principle last November. The agreement, presented at a meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing” in Paris, authorises Ukrainian factories to manufacture French-made Aster-30 air-defence interceptors, AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs and SCALP long-range cruise missiles, and includes the transfer of radar systems. Sixteen Dassault Rafale fighter-jets will be delivered, with initial flights expected in 2028-2029 and training to begin in the coming months.

ReutersMacron confirms Ukraine will produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles locally and operate Rafale fightersMacron: France to provide Ukraine with 16 Rafale fighter jets, radars, missiles

• Missiles & Munitions: Local production of Aster-30 missiles for SAMP/T air-defence batteries, AASM guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles.

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• Aircraft: 16 Rafale warplanes slated for delivery, aimed at operational use in Ukrainian airspace by 2028-2029.

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• Additional Equipment: Transfer of radar systems and a first batch of next-generation air-defence batteries, complementing missiles scheduled for delivery in the coming weeks.

Macron confirms Ukraine will produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles locally and operate Rafale fighters

Macron emphasized that the package “implements what had been agreed in principle last November regarding our bilateral defense cooperation.” He framed the move as a way to “strengthen Ukraine’s air defence” and to “modernise Ukraine’s combat aviation” through a “long-term program.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s ongoing shortage of interceptors and highlighted domestic development of an anti-ballistic missile system, suggesting a joint ballistic-missile defence could be fielded within roughly twelve months.

Macron confirms Ukraine will produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles locally and operate Rafale fightersReutersMacron: France to provide Ukraine with 16 Rafale fighter jets, radars, missiles

Licensing production reduces Ukraine’s reliance on European logistics chains, allowing a sustained flow of advanced weaponry despite intensified Russian strikes. The Rafale deliveries and local missile manufacturing aim to bolster Ukraine’s air-defence resilience as the conflict enters its fifth year, signaling a shift from short-term equipment transfers to deeper industrial partnership.

Macron confirms Ukraine will produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles locally and operate Rafale fighters

• “Earlier this afternoon President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy and I agreed on a roadmap between our two countries, implementing what had been agreed in principle last November regarding our bilateral defense cooperation,” — Emmanuel Macron

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• “In the area of air defense, this involves the acquisition of the first batch of next-generation batteries, which will complement the systems to be delivered along with missiles in the coming weeks,” — Emmanuel Macron

Macron: France to provide Ukraine with 16 Rafale fighter jets, radars, missiles

• “This involves a project to acquire 16 Rafale aircraft and their accompanying weapon systems. The first flights could take place as early as 2028–2029, and personnel training will begin in the coming months,” — Emmanuel Macron

Macron: France to provide Ukraine with 16 Rafale fighter jets, radars, missiles

• “The announcement was made during the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, where Macron specified that Ukraine will locally manufacture Aster-30 missiles for SAMP/T air-defence systems, AASM Hammer guided bombs and SCALP cruise missiles, as part of a strategy aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence industrial base and ensuring a sustained flow of advanced weaponry.” — Emmanuel Macron

Macron confirms Ukraine will produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles locally and operate Rafale fighters