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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday he had signed a deal with France to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets as he seeks to strengthen the country's long-term military capacity to counter Russian invasion.
Zelensky is visiting Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron at a time when heavy Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine have increased in recent weeks and Moscow has reported ground advances in the southeastern Zaporizhia region.
Zelenskiy told reporters that he had ordered 100 Rafale fighter jets.
"It will be the largest air defense, one of the largest in the world," Zelensky said after signing the agreement with Macron in front of a Rafale jet and French and Ukrainian flags at the Villacoublay military airport.
The Elysee Palace confirmed the number, without immediately providing details.
Two people briefed on the matter previously told Reuters that Kiev's supply of Rafale multi-role fighter jets would be part of a 10-year strategic aviation deal.
Some could come directly from French stocks, although the bulk would be long-term and part of Ukraine's efforts to increase its long-term fleet to 250 fighter jets, including American F-16s and Sweden's Gripen, the sources said.
Operating advanced aircraft would take time given the rigorous training program for pilots.
There have been talks for weeks to see how France could provide more military support for Ukraine's air defenses, although Macron's government is facing political and budgetary instability, raising questions about how much France can actually do.
Macron pledged last month to provide more Mirage fighter jets, after initially promising to deliver six and a new batch of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, manufactured by the European group MBDA, for SAMP/T air defense batteries operated by Ukraine.
Both sources said Zelensky's visit could also produce deals for more SAMP/T air defense systems, from existing French stocks or through long-term orders of the next generation, including missiles and anti-drone systems.
Sources said it was not clear how these deals would be financed.
At a press conference ahead of Zelensky's visit, Macron's office said the aim was to "put French excellence in the arms industry at the service of Ukraine's defense" and "enable it to provide the systems it needs to respond to Russian aggression."
Zelensky attended a briefing from various manufacturers, including Dassault, on Monday morning before signing the letter of intent.
A special forum in the afternoon will bring together Ukrainian and French firms working in the drone sector to see how they can combine their efforts.
France, along with Britain, has called for the creation of a coalition of about 30 countries ready to send troops and assets to Ukraine or along its western borders once a peace deal with Russia is reached.
A key objective is to ensure that Ukraine has sufficient long-term military and economic aid to keep its military strong enough to deter any future Russian attack.
Franca dhe Britania bashkë me 30 vënde do dërgojnë trupa dhe asete por, me një kusht: " pasi të arrihet një marrëveshje paqe Rusi-Ukrahinë". Franko- Britanikët nuk janë mirë nga trut e kokës,apo tallen me Zelenskin?