(MENAFN) Ukraine has announced plans to purchase up to 100 French-made Rafale fighter jets over the next decade, along with additional military equipment, including air defense systems, as part of a broader strategic agreement with France. The announcement came during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Paris, where he and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a letter of intent.

Speaking to local media, Macron described the jet acquisition as “needed for the regeneration of the Ukrainian military,” while Zelensky hailed it as a “historic deal” and a “strategic agreement.” The letter represents an initial commitment rather than a finalized contract, and Macron did not specify delivery timelines or financing details, noting only that EU support may help facilitate procurement.

The proposed deal, which includes eight advanced SAMP/T air-defense batteries, precision-guided munitions, drones, and French-made radars, comes amid EU discussions on using frozen Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a €140 billion ($162 billion) loan. Russia has condemned the potential arrangement, warning that it could create opportunities for corruption.

The Rafale jets, France’s most advanced multirole fighter, are estimated at over $90 million each, with a total cost for 100 jets potentially reaching €15 billion. France has already supplied Ukraine with an undisclosed number of Mirage 2000 aircraft, while Kyiv has also received US-made F-16s, despite confirming the loss of at least three planes.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, criticized the plan, warning that France and its EU partners face significant risks by engaging with what he called a “corrupt” Ukrainian leadership and suggesting that Western governments might claim ignorance if wrongdoing arises.

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