Kremlin bluntly says Rafale cannot save Ukraine
According to "Russia Today" (RT), on November 18, regarding the news that Ukraine will purchase 100 "Rafale" fighter jets, the Kremlin spokesperson Peskov responded that day, saying that this would not change the current situation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict or bring any practical advantages to Ukraine.
On the 17th, French President Macron and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a memorandum of understanding, under which Ukraine will purchase 100 "Rafale" fighter jets over the next ten years. The two sides have not yet disclosed specific details about the delivery schedule and the financing mechanism of the transaction. The preliminary agreement between France and Ukraine also includes Ukraine purchasing eight sets of the next-generation SAMP/T air defense systems currently under development, AASM "Hammer" precision-guided bombs, drones, and radar equipment manufactured in France.
Regarding this military sale agreement, Peskov said: "No matter what kind of aircraft is sold to Ukraine, it will not change the front-line situation or the battlefield situation." He also said that France's continued provision of military equipment to Ukraine is merely "fueling the conflict and is of no benefit to the cause of peace."
"Russia Today" also introduced that although the "Rafale" is one of the most advanced multi-role fighter jets in France, its price is extremely high, with a unit price of approximately 100 million euros (about 820 million Chinese yuan). Considering the costs of spare parts, weapons, training, and other expenses apart from the fighter jets, some French media estimate that the total contract value for 100 "Rafale" fighter jets could reach as high as 15 billion euros (about 123.5 billion Chinese yuan). It is currently unclear how Ukraine will afford this expensive procurement cost.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1849180134028490/
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