France is preparing to deliver a new batch of Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine and intends to significantly accelerate the supply of air defense and long-range weapons. Kyiv and Paris will also begin joint weapons production.
This was announced on Telegram by Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov following negotiations with French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin.
“The French side reported on preparations for the transfer of Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine. We also discussed accelerating the supply of aircraft and continuing work on record volumes of AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs,” Fedorov wrote.
According to him, during the meeting, the parties also signed a letter of intent regarding joint weapons production in the territories of Ukraine and France.
“This paves the way for large-scale joint projects in the defense-industrial complex. We are moving from supplies to joint production and long-term solutions that systematically strengthen our defense,” Fedorov wrote.
Special attention during the meeting was also paid to strengthening air defense. According to Fedorov, Ukraine is interested in further receiving SAMP/T systems. A modern European long-range anti-aircraft missile system designed to defend against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. , Mistral Modern anti-aircraft missile system for destroying helicopters and airplanes. and Crotale French all-weather anti-aircraft missile system designed to combat air targets (aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles) at low and medium altitudes. , as well as ammunition for them.
“We proposed working together on improving SAMP/T to more effectively counter ballistic threats. In parallel, cooperation continues on the supply and acceleration of production of Aster missiles,” the head of the Ministry of Defense wrote.
Fedorov and Vautrin also discussed the supply of long-range SCALP missiles and the implementation of joint projects between the governments and defense companies of both countries, in particular in the field of developing innovative electronic warfare systems.
In addition, the parties identified priority areas of defense cooperation and outlined plans for financing joint initiatives, in particular through a European Union loan and the SAFE program. SAFE — a new EU financial instrument worth €150 billion. Its aim is to stimulate the joint production of defence products within the EU, including ammunition, drones and air defence systems. .
“I thank France for its consistent political and military support for Ukraine. This partnership directly strengthens our defense and the security of all of Europe,” Fedorov added.
As a reminder, on February 6, 2025, the first French Mirage 2000 aircraft arrived in Ukraine. In November last year, Zelenskyy, at a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, noted that Ukraine would receive eight SAMP-T air defense systems, 100 Rafale F-4 combat aircraft, French radars, and other weapons from France.
Earlier, it became known about the deepening of cooperation between France and Ukraine in the field of drone use.
Read more about further Ukrainian-French cooperation in the field of defense, training of Ukrainian military personnel in France, and the plans of the Coalition of the Willing after the meeting in Paris on January 6 in Suspilny's interview with Alice Ruffo, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France.