Macron announces Ukraine will produce French missiles, orders fighter jets

Key facts

• France will license Ukraine to produce French-made cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, and air defense interceptor missiles.
• Ukraine has ordered next-generation Franco-Italian air defense systems and Rafale fighter jets.
• French President Emmanuel Macron criticized fragmented European defense strategies as an 'absurdity'.
• Macron noted that French arms manufacturers need to accelerate production of key military equipment.
• Allies agreed to begin military exercises in countries neighboring Ukraine.
• Sixteen Rafale warplanes are slated for delivery to Ukraine by 2028-2029.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned European nations against fragmented national defense strategies, calling them an 'absurdity' amid rising military spending and the recent collapse of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet project. Macron stated that France is not producing key military equipment like drones, air defense systems, missiles, and ammunition at sufficient scale or speed. He urged European nations and arms manufacturers to avoid duplicating capabilities and focus on collaborative industrial projects. Following a meeting of approximately 25 leaders in Paris, Macron announced that France would license Ukraine to produce French-made cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, and air defense interceptor missiles. This agreement, part of a roadmap for bilateral defense cooperation, aims to help Ukraine ramp up its stocks. Ukraine has also ordered next-generation Franco-Italian air defense systems and sixteen Rafale fighter jets, with deliveries expected by 2028-2029. Allies also agreed to begin military exercises in countries neighboring Ukraine as part of a plan for a multinational force to deploy post-ceasefire.