France will grant Ukraine licences to manufacture Aster, SCALP and AASM Hammer missiles
Following a meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Ukraine would receive licences to manufacture French weapons.
He said that France would grant licences to manufacture Aster-30 anti-aircraft missiles for the SAMP/T air defence systems, AASM Hammer aircraft bombs and SCALP cruise missiles.
Macron noted that this decision was taken after US President Donald Trump announced the granting of a licence to manufacture interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems. He also stated that the allies had agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence system.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked France and Emmanuel Macron personally for their willingness to grant licences for the production of weapons, as well as for their intention to support Ukraine with additional air defence systems as early as this year.
“Today we discussed matters that can help right now. I would like to thank France for its willingness to support Ukraine with additional air defence systems as early as this year. Thank you, Emmanuel, to you personally for your willingness to grant licences. This is a significant step forward. It will be of great help. Licences for Aster and SCALP. These are important decisions,” said Zelenskyy.
The Head of State also expressed his gratitude to partners who are assisting Ukraine with anti-ballistic systems through the PURL programme and on a bilateral basis.
In addition, Macron announced that France would supply Rafale fighter jets to Ukraine in 2028–2029.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his hope that Europe’s first anti-ballistic system, Freya, would become operational within the next 12 months. According to him, Ukraine is finalising the development of an interceptor missile for this project.
As a reminder, on 13 July, Ukraine and nine other European states announced the creation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition. Its aim is the joint development of an integrated European missile defence system.
