VOLODYMYR Zelensky has bought up to 100 French nuke-capable planes that are set to transform his country’s air defence.
Ukraine will receive the Rafale warplanes – with a staggering 1,400mph range – over the next 10 years under a deal signed today.
They are poised to “regenerate” Zelensky’s army and deter future Russian aggression.
The multi-role Rafale fighter jet is considered one of the most advanced warplanes in the world.
It has been likened to the American F-16 and is capable of carrying out long and short-range campaigns in one mission, according to the French military.
Air defence systems, munitions and drones were also included in the agreement between Zelensky and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
KYIV’S WRATH
Ukraine blasts Russia with new ‘Neptune’ missiles in huge overnight blitz
‘A LITTLE’ PORT
Ukraine launches huge blitz on Russian port – as Kyiv endures night siege
The announcement marks a historic shift in the war – beefing up Ukraine‘s aerial defence systems and signalling key European support and solidarity.
At a news conference at France’s Villacoublay military airport, the French President called “this is a new step” and said it “reflects France‘s will to place its defence sector at the service of Ukraine’s and Europe’s security.”
Zelensky called the agreement “historic” as he thanked France for its “valued support”.
Noting the deal would include eight air defence systems and six launchers, he said: “It will be the greatest air defence, one of the greatest in the world”.
While the deal has set out a lengthy 10-year timeline, Macron insisted some of the drone deliveries would be made in the “very short term”.
This alone will prove monumental for Ukraine as it continues to battle the Kremlin’s merciless aerial attacks.
Just last week, the war-torn capital suffered another night of strikes after hundreds of drones swarmed the city blasting apartment buildings and setting the city alight.
The assault was described as the biggest on Kyiv in almost three weeks – targeting civilian buildings and turning streets into rubble.
France and Ukraine’s historic deal also includes a new generation of the SAMP/T air-defence batteries and AASM Hammer air-to-surface munitions, both sides said.
These will help intercept a wide range of threats including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles
At the moment the agreement is merely a letter of intent, which means Ukraine hasn’t officially purchased the jets yet.
This has raised questions around how Kyiv will front the costs.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested Zelensky could fund the jets using grants from EU allies.
The French government supported this idea, adding financing could come from frozen Russian assets.
Macron told LCI TV: “We’re planning Rafales, 100 Rafales – that’s huge. That’s what’s needed for the regeneration of the Ukrainian military,”
France, along with the UK, has pushed for the creation of a coalition of about 30 countries willing to send troops and assets to Ukraine or along its western borders once a peace deal with Russia is agreed.
Operating the advanced Rafale jets would take time given the rigorous training programme for pilots.
The deal comes just months after British stealth missiles were used to smash through Putin’s air defences.
The air launched cruise missiles have range of over 150 miles and are designed to fly low, hugging the terrain to avoid radar and air defences, before soaring over their targets to blitz them from above.
Kyiv’s armed forces said: “A massive combined missile and air strike was carried out, including the use of air-launched Storm Shadow missiles which successfully penetrated the Russian air defence system.”
In a statement, Ukraine said the blitz involved air force jets, as well as “land forces, the navy and other units.”
They added: “The plant produces gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel components used in ammunition and missiles employed by the enemy to shell the territory of Ukraine.”
Britain donated Storm Shadow missiles in 2023 and allowed Ukraine to fire them at targets on Russian soil last year.
Russia responded by attacking Dnipro with an experimental Oreshnik ballistic missile.
HORROR TOWN
Our once proud town is besieged by masked machete yobs – even cops are targets
CRUEL ORDEAL
I was blinded & my pals were killed by dangerous trend in Brit holiday hotspot
It flew to edge of space before hurtling down on a plant in Dnipro at speeds of 13,000mph.
Putin is thought to have 10 in his arsenal and boasted he could use them to turn Ukraine, “to dust”.