Camilla Jessen
Ukraine and France will ramp up Mirage jet deliveries and begin co-producing interceptor drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to expand their military partnership, with a focus on boosting Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian missile and drone strikes.
The announcement came after their meeting on June 24, according to a statement from Zelenskyy’s office.
One key outcome: the two leaders committed to increasing deliveries of Mirage fighter jets, which Zelenskyy said have already proven effective in intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles.
Additional jets are expected to strengthen Ukraine’s strike aviation and help safeguard critical civilian infrastructure.
Joint Drone Production to Counter UAV Swarms
Another major step is the launch of joint production lines for interceptor drones—technology that Ukraine urgently needs as Russia continues to target cities with swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
These new drone systems will be tailored for air defense, aiming to neutralize threats before they reach urban areas or vital infrastructure.
The agreement marks a notable shift from arms supply to collaborative manufacturing, signaling longer-term defense cooperation between Kyiv and Paris.
Coordinated Sanctions and NATO Agenda
Zelenskyy and Macron also discussed broader strategic coordination, including steps to intensify economic pressure on Russia.
These include pushing for a lower price cap on Russian oil, new sanctions targeting Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), and deeper ties between their defense industries.
They also reviewed Ukraine’s goals for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague and exchanged views on other global security issues, including developments in the Middle East.
President Zelenskyy recently stated that Ukraine could produce up to 8 million drones of various types per year, but current budgets only allow for a small fraction of that capacity.
The new partnership with France could help unlock more of that potential, both through funding and shared technology.
