Ukraine is now exploring the acquisition of Dassault Rafale fighter jets, adding France to its growing list of partners as it works to rebuild a modern and diverse combat fleet. The move follows ongoing F-16 deliveries and renewed discussions with Sweden over the Saab Gripen E/F.
During a press conference in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s recent decision to pursue between 100 and 150 Gripen E/F fighters, describing the Swedish jet as cost-effective and quick to integrate.
“Maintenance of Gripen is the cheapest, because the smallest number of people must be involved,” Zelenskyy said. “For our pilot with expertise and experience, it is not a year and a half of training, as, for example, we had with the F-16, but six months. All the take-off and landing technical capabilities of Gripen are also advantageous – they can take off and land on runways.”
The president also highlighted the aircraft’s flexibility when integrating Western weapons.
“As for Gripen, everything is hooked on it. Probably, almost everything that Ukraine uses – missiles and other weapons – can all be hooked on it,” he explained.
According to Zelenskyy, an agreement was reached with Sweden to localize certain Gripen operations in Ukraine, which he described as “historic”.
A three-platform strategy
Ukraine estimates that it will need around 250 combat aircraft to rebuild its Air Force, which has suffered heavy losses since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
“I am conducting three parallel conversations regarding aircraft – with the Swedes, the French, and the Americans,” Zelenskyy said, confirming that F-16, Gripen, and Rafale are the three platforms selected for Ukraine’s future air force structure.
Contacted by Le Journal du Dimanche, a source close to Dassault Aviation confirmed that discussions with Ukraine are taking place. The French manufacturer’s entourage reportedly said they were “ready” for a possible request from Kyiv.
Medium-term prospects and operational challenges
Back in 2021, reports suggested that Paris could offer Rafale fighters for “Air Force Vision 2035”, Ukraine’s plan to bring its air force up to Western standards. The idea never progressed beyond preliminary discussions.
Interest resurfaced after the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, in 2023, when Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the Rafale as a “strategic long-term investment.”
By October 2024, however, French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu ruled out transferring used Rafale jets, citing the need to preserve France’s own fleet amid a production schedule dominated by export commitments.
Instead, France opted to supply Mirage 2000-5F fighters withdrawn from the active inventory of the French Air and Space Force. These aircraft are already flying with the Ukrainian Air Force, and on October 24, 2025, President Emmanuel Macron announced the delivery of additional Mirage 2000-5Fs along with Aster surface-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s SAMP/T systems.
Integrating the Rafale would significantly enhance Ukraine’s air capabilities but also add complexity to pilot training, logistics, and maintenance chains already stretched by the introduction of F-16 and Mirage fighters. With Dassault Aviation’s production lines committed to France and export customers, any Rafale acquisition is likely to remain a medium-term prospect rather than an immediate reinforcement, much like the Gripen E/F program.
