Macron said Kyiv plans to buy 16 Rafale jets and SAMP/T NG systems under a 10-year France agreement, while Zelenskiy is set to present the Freya anti-ballistic program with eight European partners at Eurosatory 2026.
Ukraine is pursuing multiple air- and missile-defense initiatives as it seeks to strengthen its position against continuing Russian attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine plans to acquire 16 Rafale fighter jets and SAMP/T NG air-defense systems under a 10-year defense agreement signed in November 2025, while Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine will present its Freya anti-ballistic missile program in Paris during Eurosatory 2026 at what the source describes as a first coalition meeting with eight European partner nations. The SAMP/T NG system is designed to intercept ballistic missiles and would make Ukraine its first operational deployment site, while Freya is described as a cost-effective alternative to the U.S. Patriot system focused on producing interceptors against Russian ballistic missiles. The source also says prediction and market pricing are tracking the announcements for possible effects on perceived NATO-Russia tensions and the likelihood of Russian advances in areas including Kostyantynivka.