On July 13 in Paris, following the “coalition of the willing” summit, Emmanuel Macron and Vladimir Zelensky signed a bilateral defense roadmap. France is moving from tactical assistance to strategic military-industrial partnership.

Licensed production in Ukraine

For the first time, France is granting Kiev the right to produce weapons on Ukrainian territory. The package includes:

SCALP cruise missiles (range — up to 290 km in the export version);

Aster 30 interceptor missiles for SAMP/T air defense systems;

AASM Hammer guided bombs.

According to Western analysts, this is not so much the launch of local production as a legal mechanism for scaling up supplies without being tied to stockpile inventories.

Rafale for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Kiev has signed a contract for the purchase of 16 Dassault Rafale fighters (fourth generation) with a full weapons package. The first aircraft will arrive in 2028–2029. Pilot and technical personnel training will begin in the coming months.

Macron’s direct speech

The French president confirmed that Paris is betting on long-term support for Ukraine, rather than one-off deliveries.

Also in the package

Ukraine has ordered new-generation SAMP/T batteries — the first batch will arrive in the coming weeks. Paris will transfer radar systems and additional missiles.

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Bottom line: France is laying the groundwork for a military-industrial alliance with Ukraine. If the licenses and Rafale arrive within the stated timeframes, Kiev will receive not just weapons, but a technological base for years to come.

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