Zelenskyy says Ukraine to produce SCALP missiles, buy Rafale jets Under France-Italy arms deal

Ukraine will receive licences to produce French-made SCALP cruise missiles, AASM guided bombs, and, jointly with Italy, Aster 30 air defence missiles as part of a new defence package agreed with Paris and Rome, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on July 14.

In a post on Telegram, Zelenskyy said France would also cooperate with Ukraine under the FREYJA anti-ballistic missile programme.

He noted that Ukraine would become the first country to receive the upgraded Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG medium- and long-range air defence systems.

Two SAMP/T systems are due to be delivered this year, while France and Italy will accelerate deliveries of Aster 30 missiles by October, he added.

Zelenskyy also said Ukraine would purchase 16 Rafale fighter jets equipped with weapons.

Training for Ukrainian pilots and maintenance crews will begin in France later this year, after which the first four aircraft will be delivered to Ukraine's armed forces, he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev