Media: Dassault Ready to Supply Rafale Jets to Ukraine

Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace company, has confirmed its readiness to supply Rafale fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Le Journal du Dimanche (Lejdd) reported on this, citing its sources.

According to the media, talks with Ukraine are already underway, though the current stage of the negotiations remains unclear.

The number of jets Ukraine could receive and the potential delivery timeline have not been disclosed.

It is likely that, alongside discussions on the Rafale, the parties are also considering modernizing Ukraine’s existing fleet of Mirage 2000 fighter jets.

On October 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was considering another European fighter jet to strengthen its Air Force.

“I am having three parallel discussions about aircraft – with the Swedes, the French, and the Americans,” the President stated, emphasizing that three platforms have been selected for the modernization of Ukraine’s combat aviation fleet: the F-16, Gripen, and Rafale.

Additionally, in 2021, it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron had planned to offer Ukraine Rafale fighter jets to replace the Soviet-era MiG-29s during his visit to Kyiv.

However, this discussion was put on hold. It remains unclear whether any preliminary agreements were made between the parties.