This year, France will allocate an additional EUR 195 million from the interest accrued on frozen Russian assets to produce shells and AASM glide bombs for Ukraine’s military needs.
French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu stated this in an interview with La Tribune Dimanche, according to Ukrinform.
“Thanks to the interest from frozen Russian assets, we are opening a new EUR 195 million package for military assistance to Ukraine this year,” Lecornu said.
This funding will go toward supplying 155mm shells and AASM glide bombs, which will be used with the previously delivered Mirage 2000 fighter jets.
He said that France would also accelerate the delivery of older equipment, “including AMX-10RC tanks and VAB armored vehicles.”
Lecornu described the halt in U.S. military aid to Ukraine as “a heavy blow.” However, he emphasized maintaining strong ties between France and the U.S., announcing plans to visit the Pentagon soon.
France’s defense expansion plans include increasing Rafale fighter jet production from two per month in 2024 to four or five per month from 2026 and boosting AASM glide bomb and Akeron MP anti-tank missile production.
“What we are offering is not a war effort, but a defense effort. We are not at war. On the contrary, we seek to ensure peace, and the best way to do so is to have a strong, sovereign, and autonomous defense system,” Lecornu said.
On March 7, during a massive Russian aerial assault, French Mirage-2000 fighter jets participated in Ukraine’s air defense for the first time.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Source: France to produce additional shells, glide bombs for Ukraine worth EUR 195M
