France’s President Emmanuel Macron talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (R) after the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition meeting ahead of a summit of the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on July 13, 2026. (AFP)

Ukraine to acquire 16 Rafale aircraft and SAMP/T NG air defense systems: Macron

AFP, Paris

Published: 13 July ,2026: 09:51 PM GST Updated: 13 July ,2026: 10:16 PM GST

1 min read

President Emmanuel Macron on Monday announced France and Ukraine had agreed a roadmap for Kyiv’s acquisition of 16 Rafale fighter jets, the first of which are due to “take to the skies” by 2028-2029.

To strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, Kyiv will also acquire “an initial batch of new-generation SAMP/T batteries, which will complement the systems due to be delivered with their missiles in the coming weeks,” Macron added at a press conference after a meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Paris.

For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our dedicated page.

Read more:

Putin promises more powerful strikes in response to Ukraine’s attacks

Get the latest stories from AlArabiya on Google News