Ukraine is holding parallel negotiations with France on the supply of modern Dassault Rafale fighter jets.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated this during a meeting with journalists, according to Ukrinform.
Discussions are also ongoing with the United States regarding the acquisition of additional F-16 fighter jets.
“I’m holding three parallel discussions on fighter jets – with the Swedes, the French, and the Americans,” the President said, noting that three platforms have been chosen to modernize Ukraine’s combat aviation fleet: the F-16, Gripen, and Rafale.
Back in 2021, reports suggested French President Emmanuel Macron planned to offer Ukraine Rafale jets to replace its Soviet-era MiG-29s during his visit to Kyiv. However, no further progress on the matter has been reported since.
The Dassault Rafale is a French 4++ generation multirole fighter jet capable of performing all types of combat missions.
One of the key advantages of the Rafale is its ability to employ the long-range air-to-air Meteor missile, developed by the MBDA consortium.
