KIEV, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that he signed a letter of intent with his French counterpart to purchase 100 French Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035.

The letter, signed by both Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, covers the procurement of SAMP/T air-defense systems, air-defense radars, air-to-air missiles and aerial bombs, Zelensky said on Telegram.

In addition, Ukraine and France agreed to begin joint defense projects this year, including the co-production of interceptor drones.

"Even if peace were signed tomorrow, this would still be essential, because the guarantee of that peace is a strong Ukrainian army able to hold its ground," Macron said, according to local media.

Zelensky arrived in France earlier in the day, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported. Enditem