Ukraine Boosts Local Arms Production
France Licenses Advanced Missile Production in Ukraine, Pledges Rafale Jets in Long-Term Defense Pact
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Key Points
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France will license production of AASM precision-guided bombs, Aster-30 air-defense missiles, and SCALP long-range missiles in Ukraine, marking the first time such licensing has been granted to Kyiv.
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Britain also produces the SCALP missiles, underscoring cross-Atlantic cooperation in the weapons package for Ukraine.
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Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the Paris briefing, illustrating the breadth of the coalition (spanning Europe, Commonwealth and partner nations) and Turkish engagement.
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The coalition organizing support for Ukraine is led by the United Kingdom and France and comprises more than 35 countries, signaling a broad, multi-national security framework.
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The Paris meeting occurred on the eve of Bastille Day and drew participation from around 25 leaders, emphasizing the high-profile international backing for Ukraine.
France will allow Ukraine to manufacture French-made cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, and air-defense missiles on its own soil, French President Emmanuel Macron announced after a Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, according to Reuters. It marks the first time France has granted such production licenses to Kyiv — a major step in turning Ukraine into an arms-producing partner rather than just a recipient.
Ukraine will also buy 16 Rafale fighter jets, with first deliveries expected in 2028-2029, United24 Media reported. A broader framework could see up to 100 Rafale F4 aircraft delivered by 2035, potentially including joint production inside Ukraine itself.
What Ukraine Will Now Be Allowed to Build
The licensed weapons cover three key systems. First, AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs — munitions that turn standard bombs into smart weapons. Second, SCALP cruise missiles, which can strike targets more than 250 kilometers away. Third, Aster-30 interceptor missiles, the backbone of air-defense systems, according to Reuters.
Ukraine will also receive next-generation SAMP/T air-defense batteries, plus additional radars, United24 Media reported. Britain co-produces the SCALP missile, meaning this deal has cross-channel backing. Macron framed the licensing as part of a long-term France-Ukraine defense partnership, not a one-time transaction.
Rafale Jets Headed to Ukraine, Years in the Making
Ukraine's purchase of 16 Rafale jets is now confirmed, with deliveries set for 2028-2029, according to Ukrinform. The Rafale is France's top multirole fighter, capable of airstrikes, air defense, and reconnaissance. Ukraine has sought advanced Western jets for years, and this deal cements a new chapter.
The deal could grow far larger. The broader framework envisions up to 100 Rafale F4s delivered by 2035, Crypto Briefing reported. Talks are ongoing about building some of those jets inside Ukraine, which would give Kyiv a domestic aerospace production capability for the first time.
A 35-Nation Coalition Meets on the Eve of Bastille Day
The Paris summit drew around 25 leaders, including Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, according to The Olympian. The Coalition of the Willing — led by France and the United Kingdom — now spans more than 35 countries. Turkey's presence showed the coalition reaching beyond traditional NATO allies.
The meeting happened the day before Bastille Day, France's national holiday, giving it extra symbolic weight. Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed a roadmap for Ukraine's security, Ukrinform reported. Multinational military exercises in countries neighboring Ukraine are planned in the coming months as part of ceasefire preparations.
Why This Signals a Lasting Shift in European Security
Weapons licenses are rare and strategically significant. By letting Ukraine produce SCALP and Aster-30 missiles at home, France is helping build a lasting defense industry — not just filling a battlefield gap. That matters most if a ceasefire comes and external military aid slows down.
The package also reflects Europe's push to arm Ukraine independently of U.S. decisions. France and the UK are driving this coalition, and the addition of jet fighters, air-defense batteries, and domestic production rights makes Ukraine a more self-sufficient military power for the long term, according to United24 Media.
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