(MENAFN- UkrinForm) According to an Ukrinform correspondent, he made the remarks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday.

"Today we are moving to a new stage. Through this agreement, we continue to deepen the integration of our defense industries in order to further support Ukraine, modernize its armed forces – which remain on the front line and serve as Europe's first line of defense – and strengthen deterrence against aggression," Macron said.

He recalled that Caesar self-propelled howitzers, SAMP/T air defense systems, Mirage 2000 aircraft, and numerous missiles and bombs previously supplied to Ukraine had proven their effectiveness on the battlefield over the past three-and-a-half years.

"The reconstruction of the Ukrainian army is a decisive element of our shared security. This agreement therefore provides for the strengthening of our bilateral cooperation both immediately and over the next ten years, with the acquisition of critical capabilities in the very short term –drones, drone interceptors, guided bombs – as well as commitments for production by the end of this year and over the next three years," he said.

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Macron stressed that this includes immediate deliveries as well as the procurement of next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems.

"A decisive step will be taken as early as 2026, and a decision will be made enabling their [SAMP/T] possible deployment on Ukrainian territory," he said.

In his opinion, the acquisition of up to 100 next-generation Rafale fighter jets, with a full weapons package, also opens a new phase of cooperation following the transfer of Mirage 2000 aircraft and the training of pilots.

"So we will carry out this commitment to procure 100 Rafale fighters along with the required training programs and, of course, the related production programs," he added.

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