Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new phase
in military cooperation with France and Italy, which includes technology
transfer, licensed arms production, and strengthening his country's air defense
capabilities against Russian invasion.
In an official statement, the Ukrainian president reported
that Kyiv has secured agreements to manufacture some of the most advanced
weapons systems developed by the European defense industry on domestic soil.
These include SCALP cruise missiles, AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs, and,
in collaboration with Italy, Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, used for defense
against aerial and ballistic threats.
Zelensky emphasized that these agreements will not only increase
the supply of weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces but will also boost the
development of the national military industry through the local production of
strategic equipment. As part of the agreement, France will also participate,
along with other European allies, in the FREYJA program, an initiative focused
on developing and strengthening ballistic missile defense capabilities.
According to the Ukrainian president, this project will be one of the pillars
of the country's future security architecture and will contribute to improving
its ability to counter long-range attacks.
The embattled president also announced that Ukraine will be
the first country to incorporate the new SAMP/T NG (Next Generation) systems,
jointly developed by France and Italy. These systems represent an evolution of
the current SAMP/T air defense systems and incorporate technological
improvements to detect and intercept ballistic missiles, fighter jets, drones,
and cruise missiles more effectively.
One of the most significant announcements made by Zelensky
was the future incorporation of Rafale fighter jets into the Ukrainian Air
Force. He explained that the agreement includes the initial acquisition of 16
French aircraft, equipped with their corresponding weapons package and mission
systems.