Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to France will be accompanied by agreements on supplies to strengthen Ukraine's Armed Forces, and as already announced by the Ukrainian president, it will concern "significant strengthening of our combat aviation, our sky defense, our other defense capabilities."
And this could quite fit into the reinforcement of Ukraine with additional Mirage fighters already announced by French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as additional Aster 30 missiles for the SAMP/T air defense system. But currently, according to Reuters insiders, much broader agreements are expected.
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In particular, the publication reports that independent sources indicated expectations of signing an agreement on the sale of Rafale fighters to Ukraine, as well as SAMP/T air defense systems themselves. These supplies may include both receiving used ones in the short term and long-term supplies. It's noted that financing for these agreements remains undisclosed so far.
Defense Express can note that the possibility of strengthening Ukraine's Air Force with Rafale was discussed back in October. At the same time, this aircraft can really free Ukraine from foreign restrictions, but also potentially impose even greater ones.
It's also necessary to assess the possibility of short-term weapons supply and the real timeline for fulfilling orders for new samples. And it's worth starting with the Rafale from Dassault itself, because France really does practice selling used fighters. In particular, among relatively recent contracts, it's possible to mention agreements with Greece and Croatia.
In January 2021, Athens concluded an agreement to purchase 12 used and 6 new Rafale in the then-current F3R version for €2.4 billion. The first fighter was delivered as early as July 2021, and the first six by January 2022. After which the Greeks ordered six more fighters for delivery by 2024.
Zagreb in September 2021 ordered one squadron of 12 Rafale for €1.15 billion as part of a comprehensive supply. All of them were used, but were to be upgraded to F3R and were not supposed to be older than 10 years. The first aircraft was received in October 2023, the last in April 2025.
Regarding expectations for new ones, the current queue for Rafale at Dassault's current production rates, as of March 2025, has already stretched to 9 years. It's also worth adding that the price of new Rafale F4 following the example of the contract with Serbia is €225 million per fighter, according to the 2024 comprehensive contract.
Regarding SAMP/T air defense systems, several units of which were transferred by France and Italy, Paris still has a reserve for their transfer from its own armed forces. As of 2021, France had 10 SAMP/T systems, which were organized into five squadrons with two systems (one radar, six launchers, as well as other command and support vehicles) in each. Of this number, one or two air defense systems have already been transferred to Ukraine.
But with the production of new SAMP/T NG systems, which are supposed to ensure interception of hypersonic targets and are in final testing stages, the situation is as follows. Their production is supposed to start only in 2026, and for the French Armed Forces its planned to purchase 8 of these air defense systems with delivery by 2030, and four more by 2034. Whether this involves production of completely new air defense systems or modernization of existing ones is currently unknown.
Regarding cost and delivery times for new customers, Denmark ordered SAMP/T NG in September this year, but without disclosing price and delivery times. Moreover, even the configuration and quantity are currently unknown.
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