France intends to supply Ukraine armored vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced that Paris intends to provide Ukraine, which is fighting the Russian invasion, with a new aid package that includes hundreds of armored vehicles and anti-aircraft missiles.
“To control a wide front line like this, the Ukrainian army, for example, needs our VAB vehicles: they are very necessary for the movement of forces,” Lecornu said in an interview with La Tribune newspaper.
France is currently phasing out these vehicles, some of which are more than 40 years old, to replace them with new Griffon armored vehicles, but Lecornu indicated that the old vehicles “are still fit to work”.
“We’re talking about hundreds of them for 2024 and early 2025,” he added.
Paris will also supply Kiev with more “Aster 30” anti-aircraft missiles, suitable for SAM/T launchers, similar to the Patriot air defense system provided by the United States.
“We’re also working within a very short timetable to develop remote-controlled munitions for delivery to Ukraine starting this summer,” Lecornu revealed.
The French government is pushing arms factories to increase their production to meet the needs of its army and ensure continuity of support for Ukraine after more than two years of war with Russia.
Kiev warned that its stock of munitions was running out, and specifically urged Washington to end the political crisis that froze a new $60 billion aid package.
