It is now an officially confirmed development: the French-designed Rafale F4 fighter jet will become the third fundamental component of Ukraine’s evolving modern combat aviation fleet. During a carefully orchestrated announcement on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv had formally signed a letter of intent with France, outlining a plan to procure as many as one hundred Rafale F4 aircraft progressively over the next decade. This long-term acquisition, structured for completion by 2035, represents a substantial leap forward in Ukraine’s pursuit of technological parity with Western air forces.
Under this newly established framework, Ukraine will not only receive the fighter jets themselves but will also gain access to highly sophisticated French radar technologies, as well as eight advanced French‑Italian Surface‑to‑Air Missile Platform/Terrain (SAMP/T) air defense units. Each of these sophisticated systems will come equipped with six launchers, thereby reinforcing Ukraine’s capacity to counter aerial threats across an extensive operational range. Emphasizing the strategic weight of the accord, President Zelenskyy described the agreement as a moment of historic importance, underlining that France’s decision to take such a definitive initiative represented a tangible step toward establishing genuine and enduring security across the European continent.
The Rafale F4 commitment does not stand in isolation. Rather, it forms an integral part of a broader modernization effort encompassing two additional fighter programs already under way: the U.S.-manufactured F‑16 Fighting Falcon and Sweden’s multirole Gripen. Together, these three combat aircraft platforms—the Rafale, the Gripen, and the F‑16—will collectively serve as the primary foundation of Ukraine’s next-generation air force. Zelenskyy previously emphasized last August that his government’s vision was for the country’s entire future fighter fleet to consist exclusively of Western-made jets, designed to support full NATO interoperability. Currently, Ukraine’s air command largely relies on aging, Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG and Su‑27 variants, only modestly supplemented by a small number of Allied airframes provided since Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in 2022.
Although long identified by defense analysts as potential supplier nations, it was not until recent weeks that Sweden, France, and the United States publicly disclosed the specific aircraft types and estimated production quantities intended for Ukraine. Complementing the French deal, Kyiv formalized a letter of intent with Stockholm on October 22, agreeing to acquire up to 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E fighters—an arrangement designed to dramatically expand Ukraine’s aerial robustness and tactical versatility.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian pilots have already begun hands-on training and limited operational deployment of Lockheed Martin F‑16 Fighting Falcons, delivered through contributions by various European NATO members. To augment these capabilities, several French Dassault Mirage 2000 fighters have likewise entered Ukrainian service. Both of these aircraft types, belonging to the enhanced fourth-generation category, represent a step above the country’s older Soviet-built jets in terms of avionics and efficiency. Nonetheless, Ukrainian defense officials have stated that a total inventory of at least 128 F‑16s will ultimately be required to meet the nation’s defensive needs against Russian aggression. Notably, the F‑16 continues to be among the most ubiquitous aircraft in active NATO fleets worldwide, underscoring its lasting relevance within Western airpower.
The integration of the Rafale F4 and Gripen E fighter jets into Ukraine’s inventory would mark a more advanced progression toward modernity. Both aircraft, frequently categorized as 4.5‑generation systems, bridge the gap between modernized fourth-generation fighters and cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth jets like the American F‑35 Lightning II or the F‑22 Raptor. They offer state-of-the-art avionics, complex sensor arrays, and expanded electronic warfare capabilities, even if they lack the fully stealth-oriented designs of their fifth-generation counterparts.
In particular, Saab’s Gripen has been lauded by military experts as exceptionally suited for Ukraine’s operational realities. Its design philosophy allows it to operate from short, rough, or minimally prepared runways—meaning it can take off and land from dispersed locations, including highways or improvised strips, even under hostile conditions. This adaptability is a significant advantage for a nation where airfields and infrastructure face persistent risk of missile strikes. The Gripen E, the latest and most capable version of Saab’s flagship fighter, features an upgraded single engine, refined radar and electronic warfare systems, and the capability to carry up to ten different weapons types or sensor pods, all while sustaining a maximum takeoff weight of 16.2 tons.
By contrast, the twin-engine Dassault Rafale F4 boasts even greater payload capacity and endurance, with fourteen hardpoints and a takeoff weight reaching 24.5 tons. This F4 standard, which entered operational service with the French Air and Space Force in early 2024, incorporates enhanced data connectivity, improved targeting sensor performance, and next-generation software for expanded network-centric warfare compatibility. As such, the Rafale F4 represents the culmination of decades of French aeronautical advancement, intended to keep the aircraft combat-relevant well into the 2030s.
Despite the impressive milestones announced, Kyiv’s communications remain careful to emphasize that these agreements are preliminary steps toward official procurement. Actual deliveries will ultimately depend on finalized export authorizations and production timelines. Historically, advanced combat aircraft programs have faced substantial delays due to the complexities of manufacturing, testing, export control compliance, and training logistics. Ukraine, by entering into these procurement chains, will inevitably find itself among a substantial queue of international customers awaiting their respective deliveries. Notably, Sweden itself received its first domestic Gripen E units only last month, as part of a national program aiming to field sixty operational examples of the new model by the year 2030.
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, currently maintains a production rate of fewer than four aircraft per month, according to company disclosures. As of October, the French aerospace firm also reported an order backlog totaling 233 aircraft, commitments stretching across both domestic and international clients. Consequently, Ukraine’s ambitious plans for acquisition will depend not only on governmental agreements but also on the capacity and scheduling of Europe’s aeronautical industry. Nevertheless, the strategic momentum indicated by these announcements signals a decisive and irreversible shift: Ukraine is aligning its airpower future with the world’s most advanced Western defense standards, transforming its air force into a modern, NATO-compatible instrument of deterrence and protection.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/future-ukraine-air-force-taking-shape-rafale-gripen-f16-2025-11
