France has announced a large-scale increase in defense and infrastructure support for Ukraine, including the transfer of the latest air defense systems, fighter jets, and railway equipment.
This was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukraine will be the first to receive the latest generation of SAMP/T air defense systems with improved characteristics.
“It is still in development, but we have agreed that this particular development will be the first to be deployed in Ukraine. Ukraine is already familiar with the characteristics of this system, but now it will have new, enhanced characteristics,” Macron said.
Zelenskyy clarified that this refers to eight SAMP/T air defense systems, which is a total of 48 launchers.
An agreement was also signed for Ukrzaliznytsia to purchase 55 new electric locomotives from the French company. In addition, Kyiv and Paris have launched a three-year program for the joint production of drones.
Earlier, it was reported that France plans to deploy up to 100 Rafale fighter jets in Ukraine, which should significantly upgrade Ukraine’s air capabilities.