France will deliver “hundreds” of old armored vehicles – but “still functional” – and Aster missiles to Ukraine, as part of a new aid package for Kiev in its war against Russia, according to its minister armies. “To hold such a large front line, the Ukrainian army needs, for example, our armored front vehicles (VAB): this is absolutely key for troop mobility,” explained Sébastien Lecornu in an interview has The gallery published on the evening of Saturday March 30.
“This old equipment, still operational, will be able to directly benefit Ukraine in significant quantities. We can talk about hundreds of them for 2024 and early 2025,” he added. The famous VAB armored personnel carriers, more than 40 years old, are being replaced in the French Army by the new generation Griffon armored vehicles.
Responding to pressing requests from kyiv to strengthen its anti-aircraft defense capabilities, Paris will also “unlock a new batch of Aster 30 missiles” for the SAMP/T MAMBA device, the equivalent of the American Patriot. “We are also developing tele-operated munitions in a very short time, to deliver them to the Ukrainians this summer,” added the minister.
“I demand the creation of stocks”
On Tuesday, Sébastien Lecornu indicated that he would not rule out resorting to requisitions or requiring manufacturers to give priority to military needs over civilian needs, to accelerate production. Paris is ordering the French defense industry to produce more and more quickly to meet the needs of its army and ensure long-term support for Ukraine.
“The European missile manufacturer MBDA owes us rapid deliveries. This Friday, the decrees were published on the police power of the Minister of the Armed Forces in terms of stock obligations, prioritization of contracts, and even requisition,” insisted the minister. “I asked the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) to make proposals to me for the implementation of these measures to accelerate the production of the Aster missile, he noted. The DGA will issue a first injunction to MBDA to build sufficient stockpiles of components. To be clear, I am requiring stockpiles to produce munitions.”
The minister argued that in addition to Ukraine, France also needed the missiles to fight in the Red Sea against attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels. In November, the latter, supported by Iran, began a campaign of drone and missile strikes against ships in the Red Sea, a region essential for world trade. “Moreover, on exports, I noticed that French industry had lost some contracts in Eastern European countries. However, to sell weapons for export, you have to be good at technologies, on prices, in diplomacy, but we now also have to be good on delivery times,” insisted Sébastien Lecornu.