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Charlotte Bailey

Ukraine is to acquire an initial batch of 16 French Dassault Rafale F4 fighters, supported by a European loan facility, with the first aircraft to be operational from 2028 or 2029. The decision—part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to re-equip its air force with modern Western types—was confirmed on July 14.
Announced alongside a meeting of Ukraine's ‘Coalition of the Willing’ allies held in Paris, the deal builds upon November 2025’s letter of intent to buy up to 100 Rafales “with their associated weapons.” At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a timeline of around ten years for delivering the complete fleet. However, he has now suggested that the first Rafales are expected to fly in Ukrainian skies as early as 2028 or 2029.
According to Ukrainian president Vlodomyr Zelensky, training of pilots and mechanics in France will begin this year, after which the first four Rafale aircraft will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In a joint statement, both countries explained that “this immediate training will enable the deployment of this first capability in Ukraine as soon as possible.”&nbsp;
The Rafales are part of a broader air defense initiative between France and Ukraine, announced simultaneously, which will see the latter license-build French-designed bombs and missiles for the first time. These include air-to-ground and air-to-air armaments.
“Ukraine has immediate needs, particularly in the anti-ballistic area,” explained Macron. France also announced it is to collaborate within ‘Freja’, a Ukrainian-led anti-ballistic missile defense project, unveiled in May 2026.
"The Rafales and their armaments will be financed by the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan programme and “any other source of financing,” stated Ukraine. This loan has also been instrumental in Ukraine’s procurement of Saab Gripen E fighters. Last month, Ukraine signed its first firm deal for <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2026-07-01/ukraine-signs-firm-order-first-16-saab-gripen-es">16 Gripen Es</a>, expected to be delivered from 2029. On 16 July, it was also revealed that the UK government has committed €300 million ($343 million) towards the acquisition of the Gripens.
In recognition of these international partnerships, Ukrainian-French Mirage crews participated in a flypast to celebrate France’s national annual Bastille Day celebrations on July 14. The airborne element also included a Saab Gripen warplane for the first time.

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