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Ukraine receives French licenses to produce missiles and air-dropped bombs, Zelensky says
Ukraine has received licenses from France to produce missiles and air-dropped bombs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. According to Zelensky, France has now handed over all the military licenses it previously pledged to Ukraine. He announced the news on his account on social media platform X.
Zelensky thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for the support his country has provided to Kyiv, expressing special gratitude to Macron for delivering all the promised licenses. Zelensky did not specify exactly which military products Ukraine is now authorized to produce under the French licenses.
In the summer of 2026, Kyiv struck an agreement with Paris on producing French-made Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles, AASM Hammer air-dropped bombs, and SCALP cruise missiles at Ukrainian factories.
Officials have described the French licenses for Ukraine’s domestic production of air defense and cruise missiles, as well as air-dropped bombs, as critically important for Ukraine, which continues to face shortages of these weapons. Russian occupying forces have stepped up airstrikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, increasing the demand for interceptor missiles.
On October 15, Zelensky discussed the European FREYJA program with Macron at a meeting. Under this initiative, which includes Ukraine, a new air defense missile system is set to be developed, with the stated goal of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
Previous reports said France will provide Ukraine with additional SAMP/T air defense systems.