According to the French online publication "Intelligence Online", France offers Ukraine the supply of Dassault Rafale fighters to replace outdated Soviet-made fighters. It is reported that negotiations on the sale of Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine should become the "main topic" of the agenda of the planned visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Kiev in the first half of 2021.
Dassault Rafale fighters of the French Armed Forces (c) www.opex360.com
"The French President believes in the chances of Rafale winning in this former stronghold of Russian industry. Paris has an advantage: its commercial system that can support such a contract already exists, "Intelligence Online reports. According to the resource, the French government is ready to allocate state guarantees for a loan in the amount of 85% of the contract value, for which the French Ministry of Finance has allegedly already reserved 1.5 billion euros.
At the first stage, we are talking about the possibility of selling Ukraine from 6 to 12 Rafale aircraft, which corresponds to the parameters [...] of the long-term plan for the development of the Air Forces of Ukraine until 2035, previously approved by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in 2020, "Vision of the Air Forces 2035" ("Vision of the Air Forces 2035"). The central part of the plan is the replacement of the MiG-29, Su-27, Su-24M, Su-25, Su-24MR aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force with a single multi-purpose fighter of the "4++" generation.
According to this plan, as part of its first preparatory stage (which will last until 2025), a tender should be held in 2021-2022 and a contract signed for the purchase of a multi-purpose fighter by Ukraine, limited deliveries of which (the total number of up to 6-12 aircraft) should begin in 2023-2025 to begin pilot operation, study the forms and methods of use and organize training of personnel.
The main goal of the second stage (executive, by 2030) is the transition to a planned re-equipment of tactical aviation, which will stop the degradation of the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force. Regular deliveries of new combat aircraft (8-12 multi - purpose fighters-an estimated total of up to 30-36 vehicles) should be established, with the simultaneous withdrawal of obsolete models from combat service. It is planned that by 2030, at least two Ukrainian tactical aviation brigades should be fully re-equipped with new aircraft and receive full operational capabilities.
High-ranking representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine have so far named Boeing F-15 (F-15EX), Lockheed Martin F-16V and Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen NG fighters as possible candidates for the purchase. However, "Intelligence Online", citing insider sources, states that "it is possible that the Ukrainian tender will lead to a duel" between the Dassault Rafale aircraft and the American Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The publication states that in promoting Raf in Ukraine, "France can count on the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Arsen Avakov", who has a reputation as a pro-French lobbyist. Avakov was the main driver of the conclusion of contracts for the purchase of 55 helicopters of the Airbus Helicopters company and 20 patrol boats of the French company OSEA for the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine at the expense of the French loan.
