Rafale fighter aircraft, anti-drone munitions for standard-issue weapons, simplified replacement of Combatant Status Certificates, and other key updates: this week’s MoD highlights
Ukraine is set to receive 100 Rafale fighter aircraft; Ukrainian warriors gain access to new anti-drone munitions; the Ministry of Defence simplifies the replacement of Combatant Status Certificates; and more.
These and other key MoD news items are featured in this week’s brief.
100 French Rafale fighter aircraft
This week, Ukraine and France signed a document aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The agreement provides for the procurement of 100 French Rafale fighter aircraft over the next ten years. In addition to the aircraft, Ukraine will receive eight SAMP/T air defense systems, radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs.
Ukraine and France will also jointly produce interceptor drones, with the first joint projects launching this year.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who signed the document at an air base in France, noted that this will provide Ukraine with one of the world's most powerful air-defense systems.
Anti-drone munitions
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is expanding the production of anti-drone munitions. Our specialists have codified such rounds from several Ukrainian manufacturers, and they are now ready for serial production.
The use of anti-drone munitions will enable Ukrainian service members to counter enemy FPV and Mavic-class drones more effectively. The distinctive feature of these rounds is a specialized charge that multiplies the chances of shooting down a russian drone. Moreover, these rounds do not require dedicated weapons, as they can be used with standard-issue weapon systems.
The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation is now a partner of the Ministry of Defence
This week, the corresponding Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by First Deputy Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, and the Foundation’s Director, Andrii Shuvalov.
The Ministry of Defence has been cooperating with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation since the onset of russia’s full-scale invasion. This cooperation is now formalized, paving the way for even more joint projects to strengthen the Ukrainian military.
Estonia funds Starlink systems for Ukraine
Estonia is allocating €3.5 million for the procurement of Starlink satellite systems for Ukrainian service members. The equipment will reinforce the resilience and security of communications for our units on the front line.
The Estonian Government is providing the funds through the IT Coalition—an alliance of 17 partner nations operating within the Ramstein format.
The partners support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defence in the domains of IT, communications, and cybersecurity. Estonia and Luxembourg are the lead nations of the Coalition.
Enterprises integrate into the national air defense system
Critical infrastructure enterprises may join the national air defense system, operating under military command.
For the first time, the state is opening this opportunity.
Participation is open, first and foremost, to enterprises that ensure the functioning of energy, communications, transportation, water supply, and other strategic sectors. The project is also open to enterprises that possess the necessary resources and meet security requirements.
Enterprises will be able to procure or receive air defense assets based on decisions of the military command. Only employees who have passed the Security Service of Ukraine screening will be eligible to join the Air Defense Groups.
Replacing a lost Combatant Status Certificate is now easier
The Ministry of Defence has streamlined the procedure for issuing a new Combatant Status Certificate for those who have lost it, as well as for service members released from captivity.
From now on, an application for a new Combatant Status Certificate no longer requires a document confirming that a report was filed with the National Police, nor a printed media notice about the loss or theft of the certificate.
Furthermore, service members released from captivity are no longer required to include service-investigation materials with their application for a new Combatant Status Certificate.
In the event of loss or theft of a Combatant Status Certificate, active-duty service members are required to submit only a report to their unit commander, whereas those discharged from service must apply to the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (enlistment office) at which they are registered.
Defence diplomacy efforts
During his visit to Kyiv, Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas discussed with Ukraine’s Minister of Defence ways to deepen cooperation in the defense industry. The parties outlined promising areas of cooperation: the joint production of maritime drones, radars, and anti-personnel mines.
This week, Denys Shmyhal also met with U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. The parties focused on the next steps toward implementing the defense agreements reached by President Zelenskyy and President Trump.
Ukraine is grateful to the United States for approving the sale of a support package for the PATRIOT air-defense system valued at approximately $105 million. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine noted that this critically needed assistance will help Ukraine repel russian strikes more effectively.