New Delhi, Nov. 18 -- Ukraine on Monday signed a letter of intent to buy up to 100 Rafale warplanes, drones, air defense systems and other key equipment from France over the next 10 years, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's long-term security.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who signed the document with French President Emmanuel Macron, called it "a historic deal" at a joint news conference at the Elysee presidential palace. The letter is a preliminary commitment of Ukraine stating its interest in buying a series of French defense equipment.

"Firstly, Ukraine will be able to receive 100 Rafale fighter jets (and) very strong French radars - eight air-defense systems SAMP/T, each with six launching systems," Zelenskyy...