Ukraine's recent operations in the international arms market have taken "abstract art" to its peak! Even veteran military news followers are saying: "I don't understand, but I'm really impressed!"

First act: A Black Friday-style arms purchase frenzy. Ukraine just emptied its shopping cart! Sweden had just announced "the new Gripen E is on sale," and Ukraine immediately said, "No questions, 150 planes locked in!" France came over to add a punch: "Our Rafale F4 is also great, 100 planes?"

Ukraine didn't even blink: "Go for it! Add a few SAMP/T air defense systems as well, thanks!" With two letters of intent signed, they got 250 of the most advanced fourth-and-a-half/early fifth-generation Western aircraft, plus long-range air defense systems. Conservatively estimated at $500 billion, even with a discount, it would still be $450 billion.

If this money were converted into $100 bills laid on the ground, it could stretch from Kyiv to Warsaw and back twice! It's amazing: "Others buy planes by the number, but Ukraine, a country reduced to ruins, directly buys an 'air force' in bulk." "Is this going to turn the skies over Donetsk into a NATO aviation museum?"

Just looking at this crazy purchasing is already absurd, but the second act is even more shocking: the one paying is none other than "Old Wang" himself, Russia! The most puzzling question for everyone is definitely: Ukraine has been at war for so many years, its GDP in 2024 is just over $200 billion, annual military spending is at most $30 billion, where did this $500 billion come from?

The answer will make Putin smash his keyboard: The EU had already included "using frozen Russian central bank assets to pay for Ukraine" in their formal plan! Now, the frozen Russian assets amount to $350 billion, and the annual interest alone can cover dozens of billions.

In simple terms: Using Russia's money, buying European planes, then fighting Russians! This move isn't just a small weight moving a big one; it's "a small weight directly knocking a big one onto the wall," a classic example of "reverse Tai Chi" in the international financial world.

Macron smiled like a salesperson who just got a year-end bonus during a press conference: "This is crucial for Ukraine's reconstruction, and it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Dassault!" Even members of the European Parliament began to speculate: "At this rate, $300 billion worth of assets is enough to give Ukraine another two aircraft carrier battle groups?"

The money issue was solved with "magic," and the third act's delivery problem made people laugh out loud. Let's look at the Rafale first: Dassault Aviation can only produce 1.5 to 1.8 planes per month, and they shut down during holidays. They just completed the 300th plane in October 2025, but there are already 233 planes on the order list that haven't been delivered, with Qatar, Egypt, India, and Greece all waiting in line.

Even more surprising is that Ukraine specifically emphasized "we want brand-new production lines, not inventory stock," which means they've jumped to the end of the queue! At an average capacity of 1.7 planes per month, it would take 233 ÷ 1.7 ≈ 137 months, about 11.4 years, to clear the existing orders. Adding another 100 planes for Ukraine would require at least another 60 months.

This means Ukrainian pilots are now learning French, and they might just catch the delivery ceremony of the first batch of Rafales in 2035. When the planes land at Kyiv airport, the pilot's first words upon exiting the plane might be: "Comrades, the planes have arrived! Wait, why does the dashboard still have a 30-year warranty sticker?"

Don't just laugh at France; the fourth act is even more "abstract" with Sweden's Gripen. Saab's Gripen production line was just restarted for Brazil in 2023, while the Swedish domestic line has been half-retired for years.

Brazil only ordered 36 planes, and they'll be delivered over 20 years. Ukraine, however, came in with a direct order for 150 planes. Saab executives probably dream about it at night: "150 planes? I'll have to re-open the molds!" Military fans calculated: Even if the contract is signed in 2026, the first Gripen is likely to arrive in Ukraine between 2032 and 2035. By then, the Russia-Ukraine conflict may have released a "decade anniversary edition."

At this point, rational voices couldn't help but speak up, the fifth act directly called out: "Brother, wake up! First, get some food!" Why draw such a perfect pie? France actually has more than 40 Mirage 2000-5Fs sitting idle, which can be upgraded and ready to fly to Kyiv within three months.

The SAMP/T air defense system is the same. Italy and France can easily provide a few sets of existing stocks, so why not send them quickly? Now, Russia is using "Kinzhal," "Kalibr," and "Shahed" as bedtime cannons every day. The citizens of Kyiv and Odesa need "today's" air defense protection, not "Rafale when your grandson becomes a pilot."

But Europe doesn't want to do that, preferring to sign these "super-long-term conceptual framework letters of intent." This makes the bystanders start speculating about conspiracy theories: Could this $500 billion massive order be a political face-saving, legally compliant super basket for "using frozen Russian assets"? Buying not planes, but a "legitimate division license?"

Finally, let's expose the inner thoughts of the three parties. The truth may be hidden here:

Ukraine: Anyway, I don't have to pay, go all in, the more the better!

France/Sweden: Orders! Production! Employment! The military-industrial complex is directly ecstatic!

Russia: How come this money has my ID number on it?

The bystanders have already started crowdfunding the next order: "What if we use Russian assets to directly buy F-35s? Is that exciting? When the F-35 flies over Crimea, the exhaust can even write a message: 'This plane is sponsored by the Russian Central Bank, thank you for your support!'"

Truthfully, this European generation is really good at playing games. It's recommended to apply for the Olympics, the event would be called "Using Your Money to Send You to the Sky, Creative Spending Performance," and the gold medal is definitely secured!

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7577620931733013028/

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