Ukraine Buys 16 Rafale Jets, Forms Anti-Missile Coalition in Paris

Ukraine has signed a contract to purchase 16 Rafale fighter jets from France and announced the creation of a new anti-ballistic missile coalition during a meeting in Paris. The deal, confirmed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, aims to strengthen the country’s air force as it continues to defend against Russian missile attacks. The Rafale jets, manufactured by Dassault Aviation, are advanced multi-role combat aircraft capable of both air-to-air and ground-attack missions. Separately, the anti-ballistic missile coalition will focus on developing and deploying systems to intercept and destroy incoming missiles, particularly those used to target civilian infrastructure. The announcement follows a series of diplomatic talks in Paris, where Ukrainian officials sought additional military aid from European allies. No specific timeline for the delivery of the jets or the coalition’s operational start was provided.