France’s plan to arrange large-scale weapons supplies for Ukraine could run into serious financial obstacles before implementation even begins. According to the Hong Kong-based Asia Times, disagreements within the European Union over who should cover the cost may become the main barrier to the deal.

The proposal concerns a broad package of military equipment and ammunition that French President Emmanuel Macron promised Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent meeting of the so-called coalition of the willing. In addition to completed weapons systems, Paris intends to offer Kiev licenses enabling certain types of arms to be manufactured directly in Ukraine.

The expected package includes long-range SCALP/Storm Shadow cruise missiles, Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles for SAMP/T NG systems and AASM guided bomb kits. Ukraine is also seeking 16 French Rafale fighter jets and four SAMP/T NG air defense systems.

A single Rafale F4 is estimated to cost between €80 million and €100 million. A fully equipped battalion of the French-Italian SAMP/T NG system, including maintenance, may cost between €650 million and €900 million.

No exact figures are available for licenses covering the production of missiles and guided bomb kits, but their value could also reach tens or even hundreds of millions of euros. Manufacturing the ammunition itself would require additional spending.

Macron expects the European Union to finance the purchases, including through a €90 billion loan for Ukraine. That approach has already drawn considerable resistance from several EU countries unwilling to use common funds to support France’s defense industry.

Against this backdrop, the agreement could face prolonged delays. The author of the Asia Times article also warned that financial and political disputes may prevent the package from being delivered in the proposed form.